Effect of delay in diagnosis on the rate of tuberculosis among close contacts of tuberculosis patients

Few studies have explored diagnosis delay by tuberculosis [TB] patients and its effects on the rate of infection among their close contacts. A cross-sectional study of the close contacts of 505 newly diagnosed TB patients was conducted in a TB referral centre in Sana'a, Yemen from 2008 to 2010. Only the close contacts of 89 new TB patients agreed to participate and completed the tuberculin skin test [TST]. Of the 239 close contacts investigated, 133 [55.6%] had a positive TST result. Index patients were classified as long or short diagnosis delay [above or below the median]. There was no significant difference in the number of infected close contacts between long and short delay index patients [Mann-Whitney U-test]. A larger sample size, with more incentives for patients to participate and the use of other investigative tools could provide a better picture of the pattern of TB transmission among all contacts

A literature review of the cardiovascular risk-assessment tools: applicability among Asian population.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases, the main causes of hospitalisations and death globally, have put an enormous economic burden on the healthcare system. Several risk factors are associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events. At the heart of efficient prevention of cardiovascular disease is the concept of risk assessment. This paper aims to review the available cardiovascular risk-assessment tools and its applicability in predicting cardiovascular risk among Asian populations. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using keywords as MeSH and Boolean terms. RESULTS: A total of 25 risk-assessment tools were identified. Of these, only two risk-assessment tools (8%) were derived from an Asian population. These risk-assessment tools differ in various ways, including characteristics of the derivation sample, type of study, time frame of follow-up, end points, statistical analysis and risk factors included. CONCLUSIONS: Very few cardiovascular risk-assessment tools were developed in Asian populations. In order to accurately predict the cardiovascular risk of our population, there is a need to develop a risk-assessment tool based on local epidemiological data.