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1.
BMJ Health Care Inform ; 31(1)2024 Jul 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39074912

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing availability of electronic healthcare record (EHR) data and wide availability of plug-and-play machine learning (ML) Application Programming Interfaces, the adoption of data-driven decision-making within routine hospital workflows thus far, has remained limited. Through the lens of deriving clusters of diagnoses by age, this study investigated the type of ML analysis that can be performed using EHR data and how results could be communicated to lay stakeholders. METHODS: Observational EHR data from a tertiary paediatric hospital, containing 61 522 unique patients and 3315 unique ICD-10 diagnosis codes was used, after preprocessing. K-means clustering was applied to identify age distributions of patient diagnoses. The final model was selected using quantitative metrics and expert assessment of the clinical validity of the clusters. Additionally, uncertainty over preprocessing decisions was analysed. FINDINGS: Four age clusters of diseases were identified, broadly aligning to ages between: 0 and 1; 1 and 5; 5 and 13; 13 and 18. Diagnoses, within the clusters, aligned to existing knowledge regarding the propensity of presentation at different ages, and sequential clusters presented known disease progressions. The results validated similar methodologies within the literature. The impact of uncertainty induced by preprocessing decisions was large at the individual diagnoses but not at a population level. Strategies for mitigating, or communicating, this uncertainty were successfully demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Unsupervised ML applied to EHR data identifies clinically relevant age distributions of diagnoses which can augment existing decision making. However, biases within healthcare datasets dramatically impact results if not appropriately mitigated or communicated.


Subject(s)
Electronic Health Records , Unsupervised Machine Learning , Humans , Child , Child, Preschool , Infant , Adolescent , Cluster Analysis , Infant, Newborn , Male , Female , Age Factors
2.
ACS Med Chem Lett ; 14(5): 621-628, 2023 May 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37197459

ABSTRACT

Thiamine is metabolized into the coenzyme thiamine diphosphate (ThDP). Interrupting thiamine utilization leads to disease states. Oxythiamine, a thiamine analogue, is metabolized into oxythiamine diphosphate (OxThDP), which inhibits ThDP-dependent enzymes. Oxythiamine has been used to validate thiamine utilization as an anti-malarial drug target. However, high oxythiamine doses are needed in vivo because of its rapid clearance, and its potency decreases dramatically with thiamine levels. We report herein cell-permeable thiamine analogues possessing a triazole ring and a hydroxamate tail replacing the thiazolium ring and diphosphate groups of ThDP. We characterize their broad-spectrum competitive inhibition of ThDP-dependent enzymes and of Plasmodium falciparum proliferation. We demonstrate how the cellular thiamine-utilization pathway can be probed by using our compounds and oxythiamine in parallel.

3.
Front Hum Neurosci ; 16: 803163, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35652007

ABSTRACT

Using fMRI, we investigated how right temporal lobe gliomas affecting the posterior superior temporal sulcus alter neural processing observed during speech perception and production tasks. Behavioural language testing showed that three pre-operative neurosurgical patients with grade 2, grade 3 or grade 4 tumours had the same pattern of mild language impairment in the domains of object naming and written word comprehension. When matching heard words for semantic relatedness (a speech perception task), these patients showed under-activation in the tumour infiltrated right superior temporal lobe compared to 61 neurotypical participants and 16 patients with tumours that preserved the right postero-superior temporal lobe, with enhanced activation within the (tumour-free) contralateral left superior temporal lobe. In contrast, when correctly naming objects (a speech production task), the patients with right postero-superior temporal lobe tumours showed higher activation than both control groups in the same right postero-superior temporal lobe region that was under-activated during auditory semantic matching. The task dependent pattern of under-activation during the auditory speech task and over-activation during object naming was also observed in eight stroke patients with right hemisphere infarcts that affected the right postero-superior temporal lobe compared to eight stroke patients with right hemisphere infarcts that spared it. These task-specific and site-specific cross-pathology effects highlight the importance of the right temporal lobe for language processing and motivate further study of how right temporal lobe tumours affect language performance and neural reorganisation. These findings may have important implications for surgical management of these patients, as knowledge of the regions showing functional reorganisation may help to avoid their inadvertent damage during neurosurgery.

4.
J Psychopharmacol ; 36(6): 732-744, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35596578

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two major constituents of cannabis with contrasting mechanisms of action. THC is the major psychoactive, addiction-promoting, and psychotomimetic compound, while CBD may have opposite effects. The brain effects of these drugs alone and in combination are poorly understood. In particular, the striatum is implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, but it is unclear how THC and CBD influence striato-cortical connectivity. AIMS: To examine effects of THC, CBD, and THC + CBD on functional connectivity of striatal sub-divisions (associative, limbic and sensorimotor). METHOD: Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) was used across two within-subjects, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, with a unified analysis approach. RESULTS: Study 1 (N = 17; inhaled cannabis containing 8 mg THC, 8 mg THC + 10 mg CBD or placebo) showed strong disruptive effects of both THC and THC + CBD on connectivity in the associative and sensorimotor networks, but a specific effect of THC in the limbic striatum network which was not present in the THC + CBD condition. In Study 2 (N = 23, oral 600 mg CBD, placebo), CBD increased connectivity in the associative network, but produced only relatively minor disruptions in the limbic and sensorimotor networks. OUTCOMES: THC strongly disrupts striato-cortical networks, but this effect is mitigated by co-administration of CBD in the limbic striatum network. Oral CBD administered has a more complex effect profile of relative increases and decreases in connectivity. The insula emerges as a key region affected by cannabinoid-induced changes in functional connectivity, with potential implications for understanding cannabis-related disorders, and the development of cannabinoid therapeutics.


Subject(s)
Cannabidiol , Cannabinoids , Cannabis , Hallucinogens , Brain , Cannabidiol/pharmacology , Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/pharmacology , Cannabinoids/pharmacology , Double-Blind Method , Dronabinol/pharmacology , Hallucinogens/pharmacology , Humans
5.
Psychol Med ; 51(12): 2134-2142, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32340632

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute cannabis administration can produce transient psychotic-like effects in healthy individuals. However, the mechanisms through which this occurs and which factors predict vulnerability remain unclear. We investigate whether cannabis inhalation leads to psychotic-like symptoms and speech illusion; and whether cannabidiol (CBD) blunts such effects (study 1) and adolescence heightens such effects (study 2). METHODS: Two double-blind placebo-controlled studies, assessing speech illusion in a white noise task, and psychotic-like symptoms on the Psychotomimetic States Inventory (PSI). Study 1 compared effects of Cann-CBD (cannabis containing Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and negligible levels of CBD) with Cann+CBD (cannabis containing THC and CBD) in 17 adults. Study 2 compared effects of Cann-CBD in 20 adolescents and 20 adults. All participants were healthy individuals who currently used cannabis. RESULTS: In study 1, relative to placebo, both Cann-CBD and Cann+CBD increased PSI scores but not speech illusion. No differences between Cann-CBD and Cann+CBD emerged. In study 2, relative to placebo, Cann-CBD increased PSI scores and incidence of speech illusion, with the odds of experiencing speech illusion 3.1 (95% CIs 1.3-7.2) times higher after Cann-CBD. No age group differences were found for speech illusion, but adults showed heightened effects on the PSI. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation of cannabis reliably increases psychotic-like symptoms in healthy cannabis users and may increase the incidence of speech illusion. CBD did not influence psychotic-like effects of cannabis. Adolescents may be less vulnerable to acute psychotic-like effects of cannabis than adults.


Subject(s)
Cannabidiol , Cannabis , Hallucinogens , Illusions , Adult , Adolescent , Humans , Cannabidiol/adverse effects , Dronabinol/adverse effects , Hallucinogens/pharmacology , Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
6.
Adv Physiol Educ ; 44(3): 305-308, 2020 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32484400

ABSTRACT

The relationship between pH, pKa, and degree of local anesthetic ionization is quantified by the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. As presented in standard textbooks, the effect of pH on the degree of ionization of any particular local anesthetic is not immediately clear due to the x-axis displaying pH - pKa, which requires conversion to pH, based on the pKa for each local anesthetic, a complex process. We present a graphical solution that clarifies the interrelationships between pH, pKa, and degree of ionization by plotting pKa on the x-axis versus the percentage of unionized local anesthetic on the y-axis. The vertical intercept from the x-axis to the pH curves allows rapid and accurate estimation of the degree of ionization of any local anesthetic of known pKa.


Subject(s)
Anesthetics, Local , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
7.
J Psychopharmacol ; 33(7): 822-830, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31013455

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Two major constituents of cannabis are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the main psychoactive component; CBD may buffer the user against the harmful effects of THC. AIMS: We examined the effects of two strains of cannabis and placebo on the human brain's resting-state networks using fMRI. METHODS: Seventeen healthy volunteers (experienced with cannabis, but not regular users) underwent three drug treatments and scanning sessions. Treatments were cannabis containing THC (Cann-CBD; 8 mg THC), cannabis containing THC with CBD (Cann+CBD; 8 mg THC + 10 mg CBD), and matched placebo cannabis. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity analyses were performed on three brain networks: the default mode (DMN; defined by positive connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex: PCC+), executive control (ECN; defined by negative connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex: PCC-) and salience (SAL; defined by positive connectivity with the anterior insula: AI+) network. RESULTS: Reductions in functional connectivity (relative to placebo) were seen in the DMN (PCC+) and SAL (AI+) networks for both strains of cannabis, with spatially dissociable effects. Across the entire salience network (AI+), Cann-CBD reduced connectivity relative to Cann+CBD. The PCC in the DMN was specifically disrupted by Cann-CBD, and this effect correlated with subjective drug effects, including feeling 'stoned' and 'high'. CONCLUSIONS: THC disrupts the DMN, and the PCC is a key brain region involved in the subjective experience of THC intoxication. CBD restores disruption of the salience network by THC, which may explain its potential to treat disorders of salience such as psychosis and addiction.


Subject(s)
Cannabidiol/pharmacology , Dronabinol/pharmacology , Marijuana Smoking/psychology , Adult , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Brain/drug effects , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Female , Hallucinogens/pharmacology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Young Adult
8.
Epilepsy Res ; 152: 59-66, 2019 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30909053

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Predictors of psychiatric outcome following TLE surgery have proved elusive and represent a current challenge in the practice of TLE surgery. This prospective study investigated whether frontal lobe dysfunction is predictive of poorer psychiatric outcomes. METHODS: Forty-nine unilateral TLE surgical patients were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Measures of intellectual function, semantic knowledge, memory and executive function were completed preoperatively, at 6 and 12 months following surgery. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 33 (67%) patients had minimal depressive symptoms, 8 (16%) were mildly depressed, 2 (4%) were moderately depressed, and 6 (12%) reported severe depressive morbidity. Twenty-three (47%) patients reported minimal anxiety, 18 (37%) were mildly anxious, 6 (12%) were moderately anxious and 2 (4%) patients reported severe anxiety symptoms. A mixed-model repeated-measures analysis was performed on the BDI-FS and BAI scores, adjusting for pertinent covariates identified in univariable analyses. At a year following TLE surgery, anxiety symptoms significantly improved but depressive morbidity did not. Indicators of frontal lobe dysfunction moderated the magnitude and direction of mood change. Specifically, pre-surgical cognitive measures of frontal lobe dysfunction predicted increased depression and anxiety symptoms following surgery. There was no relationship between preoperative BDI-FS or BAI scores and seizure outcome at 12 months or change in affective morbidity and seizure outcome. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first longitudinal study to provide evidence that specific pre-surgical cognitive and behavioural indices of frontal dysfunction are predictive of poorer psychiatric outcome following TLE surgery. In addition, our findings highlight the potential utility of a dysexecutive behavioural rating scale (DEX) as an assessment tool in epilepsy. Examination of executive functioning in pre-surgical evaluations may lead to an increase in the power of prognostic models used to predict the psychiatric outcome of TLE surgery.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/diagnosis , Depression/diagnosis , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/psychology , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/surgery , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Neurosurgery/methods , Postoperative Complications/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Anxiety/etiology , Anxiety/psychology , Cognition/physiology , Depression/etiology , Depression/psychology , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/complications , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/diagnostic imaging , Female , Frontal Lobe/diagnostic imaging , Frontal Lobe/physiopathology , Functional Laterality/physiology , Humans , Logistic Models , Longitudinal Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Memory/physiology , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Postoperative Complications/diagnostic imaging , Postoperative Complications/psychology , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Semantics , Young Adult
9.
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol ; 21(1): 21-32, 2018 01 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29025134

ABSTRACT

Background: Despite the current shift towards permissive cannabis policies, few studies have investigated the pleasurable effects users seek. Here, we investigate the effects of cannabis on listening to music, a rewarding activity that frequently occurs in the context of recreational cannabis use. We additionally tested how these effects are influenced by cannabidiol, which may offset cannabis-related harms. Methods: Across 3 sessions, 16 cannabis users inhaled cannabis with cannabidiol, cannabis without cannabidiol, and placebo. We compared their response to music relative to control excerpts of scrambled sound during functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging within regions identified in a meta-analysis of music-evoked reward and emotion. All results were False Discovery Rate corrected (P<.05). Results: Compared with placebo, cannabis without cannabidiol dampened response to music in bilateral auditory cortex (right: P=.005, left: P=.008), right hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus (P=.025), right amygdala (P=.025), and right ventral striatum (P=.033). Across all sessions, the effects of music in this ventral striatal region correlated with pleasure ratings (P=.002) and increased functional connectivity with auditory cortex (right: P< .001, left: P< .001), supporting its involvement in music reward. Functional connectivity between right ventral striatum and auditory cortex was increased by cannabidiol (right: P=.003, left: P=.030), and cannabis with cannabidiol did not differ from placebo on any functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging measures. Both types of cannabis increased ratings of wanting to listen to music (P<.002) and enhanced sound perception (P<.001). Conclusions: Cannabis dampens the effects of music in brain regions sensitive to reward and emotion. These effects were offset by a key cannabis constituent, cannabidol.


Subject(s)
Brain Mapping , Brain/drug effects , Cannabidiol/pharmacology , Emotions/drug effects , Music , Reward , Acoustic Stimulation , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Cannabis/metabolism , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Female , Heart Rate/drug effects , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Male , Marijuana Smoking/physiopathology , Oxygen/blood , Young Adult
10.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry ; 88(11): 933-940, 2017 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28870986

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Surgical treatment can bring seizure remission in people with focal epilepsy but requires careful selection of candidates. OBJECTIVES: To determine which preoperative factors are associated with postoperative seizure outcome. DESIGN: We audited seizure outcome of 693 adults who had resective epilepsy surgery between 1990 and 2010 and used survival analysis to detect preoperatively identifiable risk factors of poor seizure outcome. RESULTS: Seven factors were significantly associated with increased probability of recurrence of seizures with impaired awareness postsurgery: MRI findings (eg, HR adjusted for other variables in the model 2.5; 95% CI 1.6 to 3.8 for normal MRI compared with hippocampal sclerosis), a history of secondarily generalised convulsive seizures (2.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.0 for these seizures in the previous year vs never), psychiatric history (1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7), learning disability (1.8; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6) and extratemporal (vs temporal) surgery (1.4; 95% CI 1.02, 2.04). People with an older onset of epilepsy had a higher probability of seizure recurrence (1.01; 95% CI 1.00, 1.02) as did those who had used more antiepileptic drugs (1.05; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.09). Combinations of variables associated with seizure recurrence gave overall low probabilities of 5-year seizure freedom (eg, a normal MRI and convulsive seizures in the previous year has a probability of seizure freedom at 5 years of approximately 0.19). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Readily identified clinical features and investigations are associated with reduced probability of good outcome and need consideration when planning presurgical evaluation.


Subject(s)
Epilepsies, Partial/surgery , Treatment Outcome , Adult , Consciousness Disorders/diagnosis , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Preoperative Care , Recurrence , Risk Factors , Survival Analysis
12.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) ; 233(19-20): 3537-52, 2016 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27585792

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Anecdotally, both acute and chronic cannabis use have been associated with apathy, amotivation, and other reward processing deficits. To date, empirical support for these effects is limited, and no previous studies have assessed both acute effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), as well as associations with cannabis dependence. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were (1) to examine acute effects of cannabis with CBD (Cann + CBD) and without CBD (Cann-CBD) on effort-related decision-making and (2) to examine associations between cannabis dependence, effort-related decision-making and reward learning. METHODS: In study 1, 17 participants each received three acute vaporized treatments, namely Cann-CBD (8 mg THC), Cann + CBD (8 mg THC + 10 mg CBD) and matched placebo, followed by a 50 % dose top-up 1.5 h later, and completed the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT). In study 2, 20 cannabis-dependent participants were compared with 20 non-dependent, drug-using control participants on the EEfRT and the Probabilistic Reward Task (PRT) in a non-intoxicated state. RESULTS: Cann-CBD reduced the likelihood of high-effort choices relative to placebo (p = 0.042) and increased sensitivity to expected value compared to both placebo (p = 0.014) and Cann + CBD (p = 0.006). The cannabis-dependent and control groups did not differ on the EEfRT. However, the cannabis-dependent group exhibited a weaker response bias than the control group on the PRT (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis acutely induced a transient amotivational state and CBD influenced the effects of THC on expected value. In contrast, cannabis dependence was associated with preserved motivation alongside impaired reward learning, although confounding factors, including depression, cannot be disregarded. This is the first well powered, fully controlled study to objectively demonstrate the acute amotivational effects of THC.


Subject(s)
Cannabidiol/pharmacology , Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/pharmacology , Choice Behavior/drug effects , Dronabinol/pharmacology , Learning/drug effects , Motivation/drug effects , Administration, Inhalation , Adult , Cannabis , Decision Making/drug effects , Depression , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Marijuana Abuse/psychology , Marijuana Smoking , Reward , Young Adult
13.
Epilepsy Res ; 108(3): 517-25, 2014 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24438916

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate cerebral grey matter (GM) volumetric abnormalities in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients who develop de novo depression following TLE surgery using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). METHODS: We retrospectively examined pre-surgical grey matter (GM) volumes in 30 patients with TLE due to unilateral left-sided hippocampal sclerosis using 1.5-T MRI scan, which were segmented with optimised VBM parameters and normalised to a sample template using DARTEL, with SPM8 software. Voxel-wise GM differences between patients that developed de novo post-surgical depression (n=5) were compared with patients with no pre- or postoperative psychiatric diagnoses (n=25), using independent samples t-tests with age, gender and secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (SGTCS) as covariates (p<.001, unc). KEY FINDINGS: Reduced preoperative bilateral GM in orbitofrontal cortices (OFC) and ipsilateral cingulate gyrus and thalamus were significantly associated with the development of de novo depression within 4 years postoperatively. Further analyses revealed no differences in seizure freedom (ILAE 1 vs 2-6) or postoperative memory decline between the groups. SIGNIFICANCE: Although the development of postoperative de novo depression following TLE surgery is likely to be multi-factorial, our results suggest that bilateral OFC and ipsilateral cingulate gyrus and thalamic atrophy in left-sided TLE patients may play a modulatory role. Abnormalities in these areas have also been implicated in primary mood disorders. Prospective neuroimaging studies with larger cohorts are warranted to replicate these results, and further elucidate the neural correlates of de novo depression.


Subject(s)
Anterior Temporal Lobectomy/adverse effects , Brain Mapping , Depression/etiology , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/surgery , Functional Laterality/physiology , Postoperative Complications/pathology , Adult , Chi-Square Distribution , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/complications , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/pathology , Executive Function/physiology , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Memory Disorders/etiology , Neuropsychological Tests , Postoperative Complications/physiopathology , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Young Adult
14.
Prev Med ; 57(4): 400-2, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23831492

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Older adults in the U.S. have high rates of obesity. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of lifestyle interventions among older adults, lifestyle interventions are not widely implemented in community settings. Program delivery by lay health educators (LHEs) might support greater dissemination because of lower delivery cost and greater accessibility. We examined the costs of a LHE-delivered translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) evidence-based lifestyle intervention for older adults in Arkansas senior centers. METHODS: This examination of costs used data from a cluster randomized control trial (conducted 2008-2010) in which 7 senior centers (116 participants) were randomized to implement a LHE-delivered 12-session translation of the DPP lifestyle intervention. We compiled direct lifestyle intervention implementation costs, including training, recruitment, materials, and ongoing intervention implementation support. Weight loss data (at 4-month follow-up) were collected from participants. RESULTS: Participant weight loss averaged 3.7kg at 4-months. The total estimated cost to implement the lifestyle intervention is $2731 per senior center, or $165 per participant. The implementation cost per kilogram lost is $45. CONCLUSIONS: A LHE-delivered DPP translation in senior centers is effective in achieving weight loss at low cost and offers promise for the dissemination of this evidence-based intervention.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/prevention & control , Patient Education as Topic/economics , Aged , Arkansas , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Costs and Cost Analysis , Diabetes Mellitus/economics , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Program Evaluation , Risk Reduction Behavior , Senior Centers/economics , Senior Centers/methods , Weight Loss , Workforce
15.
Ann Emerg Med ; 62(1): 16-24, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23465552

ABSTRACT

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to determine whether health information exchange reduces repeated diagnostic imaging and related costs in emergency back pain evaluation. METHODS: This was a longitudinal data analysis of health information exchange patient-visit data. All repeated emergency department (ED) patient visits for back pain with previous ED diagnostic imaging to a Memphis metropolitan area ED between August 1, 2007, and July 31, 2009, were included. Use of a regional health information exchange by ED personnel to access the patient's record during the emergency visit was the primary independent variable. Main outcomes included repeated lumbar or thoracic diagnostic imaging (radiograph, computed tomography [CT], or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and total patient-visit estimated cost. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-nine (22.4%) of the 800 qualifying repeated back pain visits resulted in repeated diagnostic imaging (radiograph 84.9%, CT 6.1%, and MRI 9.5%). Health information exchange use in the study population was low, at 12.5%, and health care providers as opposed to administrative/nursing staff accounted for 80% of the total health information exchange use. Health information exchange use by any ED personnel was associated with reduced repeated diagnostic imaging (odds ratio 0.36; 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.71), as was physician or nurse practitioner health information exchange use (odds ratio 0.47; 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.96). No cost savings were associated with health information exchange use because of increased CT imaging when health care providers used health information exchange. CONCLUSION: Health information exchange use is associated with 64% lower odds of repeated diagnostic imaging in the emergency evaluation of back pain. Health information exchange effect on estimated costs was negligible. More studies are needed to evaluate specific strategies to increase health information exchange use and further decrease potentially unnecessary diagnostic imaging and associated costs of care.


Subject(s)
Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Health Information Systems/organization & administration , Information Dissemination , Low Back Pain/diagnosis , Unnecessary Procedures/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Confidence Intervals , Cost Savings , Diagnostic Imaging/statistics & numerical data , Electronic Health Records/organization & administration , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Low Back Pain/epidemiology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Odds Ratio , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/statistics & numerical data , United States
16.
J Gen Intern Med ; 28(2): 176-83, 2013 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22648609

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health information exchange (HIE) is advocated as an approach to reduce unnecessary testing and improve quality of emergency department (ED) care, but little evidence supports its use. Headache is a specific condition for which HIE has theoretical benefits. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether health information exchange (HIE) reduces potentially unnecessary neuroimaging, increases adherence with evidence-based guidelines, and decreases costs in the emergency department (ED) evaluation of headache. DESIGN: Longitudinal data analysis SUBJECTS: All repeat patient-visits (N = 2,102) by all 1,252 adults presenting with headache to a Memphis metropolitan area ED two or more times between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2009. INTERVENTION: Use of a regional HIE connecting the 15 major adult hospitals and two regional clinic systems by authorized ED personnel to access the patient's record during the time period in which the patient was being seen in the ED. MAIN MEASURES: Diagnostic neuroimaging (CT, CT angiography, MRI or MRI angiography), evidence-based guideline adherence, and total patient-visit estimated cost. KEY RESULTS: HIE data were accessed for 21.8 % of ED patient-visits for headache. 69.8 % received neuroimaging. HIE was associated with decreased odds of diagnostic neuroimaging (odds ratio [OR] 0.38, confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.50) and increased adherence with evidence-based guidelines (OR 1.33, CI 1.02-1.73). Administrative/nursing staff HIE use (OR 0.24, CI 0.17-0.34) was also associated with decreased neuroimaging after adjustment for confounding factors. Overall HIE use was not associated with significant changes in costs. CONCLUSIONS: HIE is associated with decreased diagnostic imaging and increased evidence-based guideline adherence in the emergency evaluation of headache, but was not associated with improvements in overall costs. Controlled trials are needed to test whether specific HIE enhancements to increase HIE use can further reduce potentially unnecessary diagnostic imaging and improve adherence with guidelines while decreasing costs of care.


Subject(s)
Emergency Service, Hospital/standards , Headache Disorders/etiology , Health Information Systems/organization & administration , Medical Informatics Applications , Neuroimaging/statistics & numerical data , Unnecessary Procedures/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Electronic Health Records , Emergency Service, Hospital/economics , Emergency Service, Hospital/organization & administration , Evidence-Based Medicine/methods , Female , Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Headache Disorders/economics , Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data , Health Services Research/methods , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Quality of Health Care , Recurrence , Tennessee , Young Adult
17.
Public Health Rep ; 124(1): 127-37, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19413035

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We determined (1) the relative rates of potentially avoidable hospitalizations (PAHs) in Tennessee; (2) relative rates of PAHs among gender, race, and insurance subgroups; and (3) adjusted population-based relative rates of PAHs, taking into account the influences of unobservable factors such as patient preferences, physician practice patterns, and availability of hospital beds that can also affect PAHs. METHODS: We applied the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's definitions of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) to Tennessee hospitalization records to identify PAHs. Patient discharge records for 2002 came from Tennessee's Hospital Discharge Data System. Population estimates came from the U.S. Census Current Population Survey. Hospital discharges with a complete record from all nonfederal acute-care hospitals in Tennessee were considered. RESULTS: The relative rates of PAHs in Tennessee were higher than the U.S. rates in each of the ACSC categories. The relative rates were sensitive to adjustment for unmeasured factors such as patient preferences, physician practice patterns, and the physician supply that were reflected implicitly in the hospitalization rates of each subgroup for all discharge conditions. Within Tennessee, the type of insurance each person held was the greatest determinant of the likelihood of having a PAH, particularly for a chronic condition. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate poor health of the general population in Tennessee and suggest opportunities to improve the provision of primary care for specific ACSCs and population subgroups to reduce PAHs, particularly the uninsured and individuals enrolled in Tennessee's Medicaid managed care program.


Subject(s)
Black or African American , Healthcare Disparities , Hospitalization , Insurance Coverage , Insurance, Health , White People , Ambulatory Care , Chronic Disease , Female , Healthcare Disparities/statistics & numerical data , Hospitalization/trends , Humans , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Tennessee
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