Medicine
-
Observational Study
Evaluation of willingness to pay per quality-adjusted life year for a cure: A contingent valuation method using a scenario-based survey.
Cost-effectiveness is 1 of the most important factors in medicine reimbursement, and social willingness to pay (WTP) can provide evidence for the threshold of cost-effectiveness analysis. Recently, the concept of curative medicines has been introduced, so it is necessary to study their cost-effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate WTP per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for a cure in the Korean general population. ⋯ The results for the prolonged treatment effect scenarios were KRW 22 million/QALY and KRW 27 million/QALY, which are 1.4 and 1.8 times higher than the non-cure scenario, respectively. In all scenarios, the statistically significant factors affecting WTP per QALY were higher education, higher household income, and healthcare provider. This study revealed that WTP for a cure treatment was higher than that for non-cure; this higher WTP should be considered in future decision-making regarding curative treatments.
-
Observational Study
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene polymorphisms are associated with ischemic stroke in a Hainan population.
Ischemic stroke is a complex vascular disease, which has become 1 of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More and more data showed that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), in particular, MMP-2 are deleterious after ischaemic stroke. This study investigated the relationship between MMP-2 and stroke risk in the Southern Chinese population. ⋯ For rs1132896 (C versus G allele), the C allele was significantly reduced stroke risk (OR = 0.56, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 0.39-0.81, P = .002). The effect of the T allele of rs243849 was IS risk according to an additive genetic model (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.47-0.96, P = .028). We did not found any strong linkage between the six SNPs (rs1132896, rs1053605, rs243849, rs243847, rs243832, rs7201)The results presented strongly indicate that MMP-2 genetic variants are an important mediator of stroke risk.
-
Observational Study
A correlation between gastrointestinal dysfunction and cirrhosis severity.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between gastrointestinal dysfunction (GD) and cirrhosis severity in cirrhotic patients, to provide evidences for the prevention and treatment of GD in cirrhotic patients. A total of 95 cirrhotic inpatients and outpatients, who were treated in the Department of Gastroenterology of Xinqu Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, were enrolled in the present study, and assigned as the experimental group (cirrhosis group). According to Child-Pugh classification, these patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (n = 45), group B (n = 23), and group C (n = 27). ⋯ The linear correlation analysis revealed that the GI symptom score was positively correlated with GAS and VIP levels, and negatively correlated with MTL level. In addition, the linear correlation analysis revealed that GI symptom score and GAS and VIP levels were positively correlated with cirrhosis severity, whereas MTL level was negatively correlated with cirrhosis severity. Cirrhotic patients have more obvious GI symptoms and higher GI hormone levels, which are closely correlated with the progression of liver cirrhosis and the degree of liver function damage.
-
To evaluate the clinical outcomes of an anterolateral approach for lateral humeral condylar fractures in children. The patients aged < 15 years undergoing surgery with an anterolateral approach for humeral lateral condylar fractures between April 2005 and March 2014 were investigated. Medical records and radiographs from 15 patients were reviewed. ⋯ Based on Flynn criteria, clinical results for both cosmetics and function were excellent in 13 patients, and good in 2. The advantages of the anterolateral approach are combining an optimal view of the anterior articular surface of the trochlea and capitellum and a limited risk of devascularization injury. We strongly recommend an anterolateral approach for these fractures in children to prevent postoperative deformity and to achieve anatomical reduction and reliable fixation.
-
This study aimed to study the differences in Raman spectra of red blood cells (RBCs) among patients with β-thalassemia and controls using laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy (LTRS) system. A total of 33 patients with β-thalassemia major, 49 with β-thalassemia minor, and 65 controls were studied. Raman spectra of RBCs for each sample were recorded. ⋯ After normalization, the spectra of two different genotypes with β/β mutations mainly overlapped, while those with β/β mutations had lower intensity at bands 1546, 1603, and 1619 cm. The present study provided Raman characteristics of RBCs in patients with β-thalassemia major and supported the use of LTRS as a method for screening β-thalassemia major. The recognition rate for β-thalassemia minor needs to be further improved.