Health economics analysis has become increasingly important in recent years. It is essential to master the use of relevant software to conduct research in health economics. TreeAge Pro software is widely used in the healthcare decision analysis. It can carry out decision analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation. With powerful functionlity and outstanding visualization, it can build Markov disease transition models to analyze Markov processes according to disease models and accomplish decision analysis with decision trees and influence diagrams. This paper introduces cost-effectiveness analysis based on Markov model with examples and explains the main graphs.
The Technical Specifications for Evaluation of Age-friendly Medical Institutions is a set of evaluation standard for admittance of age-friendly medical institutions. The standard was prepared by Beijing Geriatric Hospital, organized by Beijing Municipal Health Commission and issued by Beijing Municipal Bureau of Market Supervision and Administration in 2021. The standard evaluates the construction of age-friendly medical institutions in four profiles, involving age-friendly culture, age-friendly management, age-friendly service, and age-friendly environment, and standardizes the specific links in the medical institutions evaluation and acceptance, displaying important guiding value for construction activities of national age-friendly medical institutions.
Objective To analyze the risk factors for postoperative cognitive confusion in a surgical intensive care unit. Methods A total of 388 consecutive patients in Surgical Intensive Care Unit of General Hospital of PLA were retrospectively studied. We posed clinical questions according to the patients with older age and large dosage corticosteroid. Using “Postoperative cognitive confusion” and“Intensive Care” as key words, we searched for evidence from MEDLINE (1968-2004). Results We found 3.1% (10/388) of the patients developed postoperative cognitive confusion. Of the 10 postoperative cognitive confusion patients, 9 were over 65 years old. 6.6% (9/136) of the patients (≥ 65 years old) developed postoperative cognitive confusion. While 0.4%(1/252) of the patients (＜65 years old) developed postoperative cognitive confusion. Older age (≥ 65 years old) may induce more postoperative cognitive confusion (P＜0.05). While 7.0% (5/71) of the patients treated by large dose corticosteroids (≥1 000 mg) developed postoperative cognitive confusion. And 1.65% (5/317) of the patients received corticosteroid with large dosage (＜1 000 mg) developed postoperative cognitive confusion. Large dosage corticosteroid (≥1 000 mg) may induce more postoperative cognitive confusion (P＜0.05). Conclusion Older age (≥ 65 years old) and high dose corticosteroid (≥1 000 mg) may be the two main risk factors for postoperative cognitive confusion.
OBJECTIVE To summarize the clinical results of hollow compression screw in treatment of fracture of neck of femur in the aged. METHODS: From November 1993 to October, 1998, 52 aged patients with several types of fracture of neck of femur were treated; among them, there were 25 males and 27 females aged from 60 to 83 years (70 years on average). There were 48 cases of fresh fracture and 4 cases of old fracture. Forty-two cases were performed closed reduction internal fixation, 10 cases with open reduction internal fixation. RESULTS: All the patients could sit by themselves 4 to 6 days after operation, and could walk with a crutch 10 to 15 days after operation. The mobility of hip joint was nearly normal 4 weeks after operation. All the patients were followed 26 to 84 months, 48.5 months on average. Bone union was achieved in 50 cases, nonunion in 2 cases. The average healing time was 4.7 months. There were no other complications, such as ankylosis and muscular atrophy, but ischemic necrosis in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: This method has following advantages, convenient manipulation, less injury, stable fixation, and the short-term recovery, which avoid some common complications. It is a reliable method worthy of popularizing.
Objective To verifying the characteristics of optical coherence tomography(OCT) in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods The patients being investigated in this series included 16 cases (19 eyes) of exudative age-related macular degeneration diagnosed by FFA and OCT examinations, among them 4 cases (6 eyes) were examined with ICGA. The color photographs of ocular fundi, FFA, ICGA and OCT were investigated by contrasting each other. Results As compared with the FFA and ICGA examinations, the characteristic findings found in OCT in patients with exudative AMD in this series were as the following:①serous detachment of neurosensory epithelium in 11 eyes,②retinal hemorrhage in 2 eyes,③serous detachment of retinal pigment epithelium in 5 eyes,④hemorrhagic detachment of retinal pigment epithelium in 10 eyes,⑤disciform scar in 4 eyes,⑥fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment and occult CNV in 12 eyes. Conclusion OCT can supply a comprehensive survey of exudative AMD, in making the diagnosis as an important complementary examination of FFA and ICGA. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:220-223)
Objective To investigate the relationship between age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) and ischemic stroke in patients with ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) or retinal artery occlusion (RAO). MethodsA single center retrospective cohort study. Seventy-four patients with OAO or RAO diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from June 2004 to December 2020 were included in the study. The baseline information of patients were collected and aCCI was used to score the patients’ comorbidity. The outcome was ischemic stroke. The median duration of follow-up was 1 796.5 days. According to the maximum likelihood ratio of the two-piecewise COX regression model and the recursive algorithm, the aCCI inflection point value was determined to be 6, and the patients were divided into low aCCI group (＜6 points) and high aCCI group (≥6 points). A Cox regression model was used to quantify the association between baseline aCCI and ischemic stroke. ResultsAmong the 74 patients, 53 were males and 21 were females, with the mean age of (55.22±14.18) (19-84) years. There were 9 patients of OAO and 65 patients of RAO. The aCCI value ranges from 1 to 10 points, with a median of 3 points. There were 63 patients (85.14%, 63/74) in the low aCCI group and 11 patients (14.86%, 11/74) in the high aCCI group. Since 2 patients could not determine the time from baseline to the occurrence of outcome events, 72 patients were included for Cox regression analysis. The results showed that 16 patients (22.22%, 16/72) had ischemic stroke in the future. The baseline aCCI in the low aCCI group was significantly associated with ischemic stroke [hazard ratio (HR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-2.56, P=0.003], and for every 1 point increase in baseline aCCI, the risk of future ischemic stroke increased by 76% on average. The baseline aCCI in the high aCCI group had no significant correlation with the ischemic stroke (HR=0.66, 95%CI 0.33-1.33, P=0.247). ConclusionsaCCI score is an important prognostic information for patients with OAO or RAO. A higher baseline aCCI score predicts a higher risk of ischemic stroke, and the association has a saturation effect.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and the value of balloon kyphoplasty in treating aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture. Methods Between January 2003 and January 2008, 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture patients were treated. There were 15 males and 21 females with an average age of 65.4 years (range, 59-72 years). Fourteen cases had no obvious history of trauma, 19 had a history of sl ight trauma, and 3 had a history of severe trauma. Forty vertebral bodies were involved, including 1 T7, 3 T9, 8 T10, 10 T12, 9 L1, 7 L2, and 2 L4. All patients displayed local pain and osteoporosis by bone density measurement with no neurological symptom of both lower limbs. Balloon kyphoplasty through unilateral (31 cases) or bilateral (5 cases) vertebral pedicles with polymethylmethacrylate was performed at the injection volume of (3.46 ± 0.86) mL per vertebral body. Before and after operation, the anterior height and posterior height of fractured vertebral body and the sagittal displacement were measured. Results Two cases had intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage; 1 case had no remission of waist-back pain and pain was released after symptomatic treatment. All 36 patients were followed up 2.3 years on average (range, 1.5-4.0 years). No cement leakage was found with good diffusion of cement on X-ray film. The restoration of the height of vertebral bodies was satisfactory without nerve compression symptoms and other compl ications. The Visual Analogue Score at last follow-up (2.34 ± 1.03) was significantly lower than that of preoperation (6.78 ± 1.21), (P lt; 0.05). The compressive percentage of anterior height (19.80% ± 1.03%) of fractured vertebral body after operation was significantly lower than that before operation(25.30% ± 2.50%), (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in posterior compressive percentage and sagittal displacement between pre- and post- operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Based on roentgenographic scores, balloon kyphoplasty is selectively used to treat aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture, and the radiographic and cl inical results were satisfactory.
ObjectivesTo analyze the trend of incidence and mortality of bladder cancer from 1990 to 2017 and the effects of age, time period and birth cohort on bladder cancer incidence and mortality.MethodsData on age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of bladder cancer from 1990 to 2017 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 (GBD 2017) database. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the average annual percentage change of ASIR and ASDR of bladder cancer. The age-period-cohort model was established to analyze the age, period and birth cohort effects on ASIR and ASDR of bladder cancer.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2017, both ASIR and ASDR of bladder cancer decreased slightly. ASIR decreased from 6.42 per 100 000 in 1990 to 6.04 per 100 000 in 2017, with an average annual percentage change of ?0.9% (?1.0% to ?0.8%), and ASDR decreased from 3.15 per 100 000 in 1990 to 2017 2.57/100 000, with an average annual percentage change of ?0.4% (?0.4% to ?0.3%). The age-period-cohort model results showed that as age increased, the risk of bladder cancer incidence and mortality increased; as the birth cohort progressed, the risk of bladder cancer morbidity and mortality decreased. The time period had little effect on the incidence and mortality of bladder cancer.ConclusionsThe incidence and mortality of bladder cancer are declining globally. On the other hand, the increase of the aging global population could reverse the incidence and mortality trend, active measures should be taken to address the adverse effects of aging.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of bortezomib combined with dexamethasone and thalidomide regimens on aged patients with multiple myeloma. MethodsA total of 166 multiple myeloma patients were selected between January 2009 and June 2013; all patients were assigned to regimens of T-VD or T-VAD named T-VD group or T-VAD group (with 25 patients in T-VD group and 29 in T-VAD group). Efficacies and toxicities were analyzed and compared after two cycles. ResultsOverall response rate (OR) in T-VD group was 84.0%; there was 6 patients achieved complete response (OR) or very good partial response (VGPR) (24.0%). However, Overall response rate (OR) in T-VAD group was 48.3%; there was only one patient achieved CR or VGPR (3.4%); significant difference between two groups was found (χ2=7.513, P<0.05). The major adverse reactions were debilitation, nausea, vomiting, myelo-suppression, cardiac toxicity, and peripheral neuropathy. There were highest incidence of nausea and vomiting in T-VAD group compared to T-VD group (χ2=5.794, P<0.05). ConclusionBortezomib combined with dexamethasone and thalidomide regimens is effective and safe, which can be widely used for aged patients with multiple myeloma.
ObjectiveTo explore the multimorbidity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetic patients, and observe the association between AMD and the two-year progression of DR. MethodsA prospective cohort study. The data were obtained from the Phase Ⅰ baseline and Phase Ⅱ follow-up of the Beichen Eye Study, which was conducted from June 2020 to August 2023, and the data from participants with diabetes were extracted for analysis. The baseline study included demographic data, anthropometric indices, ocular biometry, visual acuity, fundus imaging, Lens Opacities Classification System Ⅲ grade, questionnaires and laboratory information, etc., and follow-up was performed after two years. DR diagnosis and grading was performed based on the DR International Classification Criteria, and the eye with the heavier DR classification was taken as the affected eye. According to whether there was new-onset DR or DR progression at the follow-up visit, patients were divided into DR non-progressing group and progressing group. The Wisconsin AMD grading standard was used for AMD diagnosis and grading. Quantitative data were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical variables were compared using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. Sub-group analysis would be executed if the primary analysis had no significant results. Sensitivity analysis was conducted after the application of multiple imputation for missing data. ResultsA total of 1 190 eligible diabetic patients were included at baseline. The observed prevalence rates were 22.69% (270/1 190) for DR, 25.97% (309/1 190) for AMD, and 6.64% (79/1 190) for DR-AMD co-morbidity. Among the 741 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up, 95 cases (12.82%) were in the DR progression group and 646 cases (87.18%) were in the non-progression group. Compared with those without AMD, the prevalence of DR in patients with early (24.44%, 66/270), middle (4.07%, 11/270), late atrophic AMD (0.37%, 1/270), and exudative AMD (0.37%, 1/270) showed an increasing trend. However, the differences were not statistically significant (P＞0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that having AMD at baseline was an independent risk factor for DR (OR=1.532, P=0.026). During the follow-up period, subgroup analysis revealed that in AMD patients with an axial length of 22.9-23.5 mm (OR=4.507, P=0.028) or a platelet-lymphocyte ratio of 99.5-122.0 (OR=4.107, P=0.015), the risk of DR progression was significantly increased. The results of the sensitivity analysis after multiple imputation of the missing data remained stable. ConclusionAMD in diabetic patients over 50 years of age is an independent risk factor for DR prevalence and progression.