Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2007
ReviewThe Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies.
Much biomedical research is observational. The reporting of such research is often inadequate, which hampers the assessment of its strengths and weaknesses and of a study's generalisability. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Initiative developed recommendations on what should be included in an accurate and complete report of an observational study. ⋯ The workshop and the subsequent iterative process of consultation and revision resulted in a checklist of 22 items (the STROBE Statement) that relate to the title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections of articles. 18 items are common to all three study designs and four are specific for cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional studies. A detailed Explanation and Elaboration document is published separately and is freely available on the websites of PLoS Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology. We hope that the STROBE Statement will contribute to improving the quality of reporting of observational studies.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPreference-based electronic decision aid to promote colorectal cancer screening: results of a randomized controlled trial.
Despite the burden of colorectal cancer and improved health care outcomes with early detection and treatment, screening rates among eligible adults are low. We previously developed through a series of studies an interactive electronic tool, Colorectal Web, to promote colorectal cancer screening. ⋯ Colorectal Web is more effective than a standard colorectal cancer Web site at prompting previously unscreened individuals to choose a preferred colorectal cancer screening test and to be screened for colorectal cancer.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2007
Joint effect of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on mortality.
To evaluate the joint effect of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on mortality. ⋯ Light and moderate alcohol consumption reduced mortality from CVD. This beneficial effect, however, was offset by cigarette smoking.
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Estimates of adherence to mammography screening guidelines vary, in part, due to lack of consensus on defining adherence. This study estimated adherence to repeat (two successive on-time screenings) and regular screening (three or more successive screenings) and evaluated the impact of varying operational definitions and evaluation periods. ⋯ Estimates of adherence to screening guidelines varied by the operational definition of "success" and time period of evaluation. Consensus in definitions and terminology is needed to compare evaluations.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2007
Premenopausal risk factors for coronary and aortic calcification: a 20-year follow-up in the healthy women study.
It is important to understand the early development of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women to prevent costly morbidity and mortality associated with CVD events. ⋯ Premenopausal risk factors are strong predictors of postmenopausal CaC and AC. Clinical trials should test if reduction of premenopausal levels of risk factors reduces the risk of early calcification.