Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Sep 2001
The need for collaboration between clinicians and statisticians: some experience and examples.
Very often we see poor communication and collaboration between clinicians and statisticians. Both sides may fail to realise the importance of a truly collaborative effort. In this paper we give examples to illustrate some problems clinicians and statisticians may encounter when they do not have the full support of each other. The aim is to convince both parties the importance of a truly collaborative effort. ⋯ On the one hand, robust statistical practice is vital in many medical research projects. On the other hand, medical thinking is important in the formulation and application of statistical strategies. Statistical inputs should be integrated into medical research projects throughout the whole research process. Sporadic contacts between clinicians and statisticians are not enough. Both parties must learn to communicate more effectively and to be willing to collaborate with each other.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIntravenous regional anaesthesia using lignocaine and tramadol.
This prospective, randomised, double-blind study was designed to assess if the addition of 50 mg tramadol to 30 mL 0.5% lignocaine would improve the efficacy of intravenous regional anaesthesia. ⋯ There is a positive trend that tramadol might improve the quality of intravenous regional anaesthesia.
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Because the use of procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker of bacterial infection has been advocated, this study was carried out to determine the usefulness of plasma PCT in the early diagnosis and differentiation of patients with non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) from those with sepsis, and the relationship between plasma PCT level and severity of organ failure. ⋯ CRP is increased by inflammatory disease as well as infection and is therefore not a good indicator of infection in patients with severe SIRS. On the other hand, PCT is a good indicator of severity of sepsis and organ failure in patients with severe SIRS since PCT levels correlated with sepsis and SOFA scores. PCT level is useful for diagnosis of sepsis and as an indicator of severity of organ failure in patients with SIRS.
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This is a retrospective study to assess the accuracy of the Alvarado score in predicting appendicitis for patients with right iliac fossa pain. ⋯ Alvarado score is a useful tool in the diagnosis of appendicitis, especially at both ends of the scale.