Application of advanced data collection and quality assurance methods in open prospective study - a case study of PONS project.

INTRODUCTION: Large-scale epidemiologic studies can assess health indicators differentiating social groups and important health outcomes of the incidence and mortality of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and others, to establish a solid knowledgebase for the prevention management of premature morbidity and mortality causes. This study presents new advanced methods of data collection and data management systems with current data quality control and security to ensure high quality data assessment of health indicators in the large epidemiologic PONS study (The Polish-Norwegian Study). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material for experiment is the data management design of the large-scale population study in Poland (PONS) and the managed processes are applied into establishing a high quality and solid knowledge. RESULTS: The functional requirements of the PONS study data collection, supported by the advanced IT web-based methods, resulted in medical data of a high quality, data security, with quality data assessment, control process and evolution monitoring are fulfilled and shared by the IT system. Data from disparate and deployed sources of information are integrated into databases via software interfaces, and archived by a multi task secure server. CONCLUSIONS: The practical and implemented solution of modern advanced database technologies and remote software/hardware structure successfully supports the research of the big PONS study project. Development and implementation of follow-up control of the consistency and quality of data analysis and the processes of the PONS sub-databases have excellent measurement properties of data consistency of more than 99%. The project itself, by tailored hardware/software application, shows the positive impact of Quality Assurance (QA) on the quality of outcomes analysis results, effective data management within a shorter time. This efficiency ensures the quality of the epidemiological data and indicators of health by the elimination of common errors of research questionnaires and medical measurements.

[Comparison of ability to humidification of inspired air through the nose and oral cavity using dew point hygrometer]. / Porównanie skutecznosci nawilzania powietrza wdychanego przez nos i przez jame ustna za pomoca higrometru punktu rosy.

AIM: Aim of this study was to check at the hospital the dew point hygrometer for fast measurement of air humidity in upper airways. The nose ability to humidification of inspired air and partially recover moisture from expired air was evaluated. Measurements from respiration through the nose and oral cavity were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 30 people (8 female and 22 male), age group 18 to 70 (mean age: 37 years old). In 22 of the participants there were no deviation from normal state in laryngologic examination, while in 4 participants nasal septum deviation without imaired nasal; oatency was found, in other 3--nasal vonchae hyperthrophy and in 1--nasal polips (grade I). The measurements of air humidity in upper air ways was done using specially designed and constructed measurement system. RESULTS: The air inspired through the nose and oral cavity is humidified. For typical external conditions (T = 22 degrees C i RH = 50%) the nose humidifies inspired air two times better then oral cavity (short time range of measurement approximately 1 min). Moisture from expired air through the nose is partially recovered (for patients with regular patency is 25% of the value of humidifying of inspired air). The oral cavity does not have ability to partially recovery moisture form expired air. CONCLUSION: The paper presented fast dew point hygrometer based on semiconductor microsystems for measurement humidity in inspired and expired air through the nose and oral cavity. Presented system can be a proper instrument for evaluation of nasal functions.

[Air temperature measurements in nasal cavities and oral cavity]. / Pomiary temperatury powietrza w jamach nosa i jamie ustnej.

AIM: Aim of this study was to check at the hospital the electronic thermometer for fast measurement of air temperature in upper airways. The nose ability of heating of inspired air and heat recovering from expired air was evaluated. Measurements from respiration through the oral cavity were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 30 people (6 female and 24 male), age group 18 to 62 (mean age: 33.5 years old). Almost the half of participants had no deviation from normal state in laryngologic examination. The rest of participants had nasal septum deviation (7 persons), nasal vonchae hyperthrophy (3 persons) and grade I nasal polips (2 persons). The measurements of air temperature in upper air ways was done using specially designed and constructed measurement system. RESULTS: The air inspired through the nose and oral cavity is heated during respiration. For typical external conditions (T = 22 degrees C i RH = 50%) the nose heats inspired air 1,5 times better then oral cavity (short time range of measurement approximately 1 min.). Heat from expired air is recovered for both nasal cavities and oral cavity. Nasal cavities respiration ability for heat recovery from expired air is 3 times higher then oral cavity respiration. CONCLUSION: The paper concerns the system for inspired and expired temperature measurements by miniature thermometer in different places of upper airways. Presented system can be a useful instrument for evaluation of thermal nasal cavities function.

[Examination of upper airway function using the dew point hygrometer with semiconductor detector]. / Badanie funkcji górnych dróg oddechowych za pomoca higrometru punktu rosy z detektorem pólprzewodnikowym.

The nasal mucosa with blood capillary network has a remarkable role in respiration process. The most important nose functions are heating and humidifying to optimal level of reaching throat and lungs air and partly absorption of humidity and temperature from expired air. Variations of humidifying and heating processes can invoke some upper airways disorders. The paper presents dew point hygrometer which was specially design for laryngological purposes. The hygrometer can measure dynamic changes of humidity in upper airways. The device is fully automated, easy to operate and can communicate with external personal computer. Database application allows saving patient data with archive examination results and can display them easily. During ongoing clinical tests, still increasing amount of data will allow precisely investigate correlations between humidifying process and some diseases. The main advantage of the device is a short response time on humidity changing. The number of readings (detections) can reach 5 readings per second (slightly depending on humidity level) which is much faster than in available on the market hygrometers with sorption sensors. The paper also presents some results obtained in group of healthy volunteers and one patient with tracheostomy The tests figured out actual humidity in certain parts of upper airways: nose, throat, trachea in breathing cycles under various surrounding conditions. The constructed hygrometer can be used for air humidity measurement in upper airways during some diseases and for evaluation of an influence of some drugs and environmental conditions changing on air upper ways mucosa.

[Examination of the temperature stabilization process in the upper airways using a miniaturized electronic thermometer]. / Badanie procesu stabilizacji temperatury w górnych drogach oddechowych za pomocq miniaturowego termometru elektronicznego.

Diagnostic and treatment procedures in laryngology demand the knowledge on physiological processes taking place in nasal cavities in the course of breathing. It is of special importance in treatment with pharmacologic agents exerting an influence on nasal blood vessels and in nasal structures operations. The paper presents electronic thermometer which was specially designed for measurements in human higher airways. The system is set of flexible measurement head with miniature thermistor and microprocessor system connected to the personal computer fit out database application for collect and visualization measurement data. The device is safe for medical doctor and patient as well. With patient point of view, the measurements can be done easily and comfortably. The system allows recording dynamic changes of air temperature in upper airways and recalculates average inspired and expired air temperatures. The paper presents also initial results obtained in group of 15 healthy volunteers and 3 with tracheotomy It was made an estimation nasal ability to heating inspired air in particular places of nasal cavity and determined air temperature in nasal cavity outlet.