guhjy's Howard:G [10 articles]

Abstract

Statistical sciences have recently made advancements that allow improved precision or reduced sample size in clinical research studies. Herein, we review 4 of the more promising: (1) improvements in approaches for dose selection trials, (2) approaches for sample size adjustment, (3) selection of study end point and associated statistical methods, and (4) frequentist versus Bayesian statistical methods. Whereas each of these holds the opportunity for more efficient trials, each are associated with the need for more stringent assumptions or increased complexity ...

Abstract

For unclear reasons, anemia is more common in American blacks than whites. The authors evaluated anemia prevalence (using World Health Organization criteria) among 19,836 blacks and whites recruited in 2003-2007 for the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Renal Ancillary study and characterized anemia by 3 anemia-associated conditions (chronic kidney disease, inflammation, and microcytosis). They used multivariable models to assess potential causes of race differences in anemia. Anemia was 3.3-fold more common in blacks than whites, with little attenuation ...

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with kidney disease are at increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD is associated with an increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Awareness of CKD may potentially influence diagnostic decisions, life-style changes and pharmacologic interventions targeted at modifiable CHD risk factors. We describe here the degree to which persons with CHD are aware of their CKD. METHODS: The Reasons for Geographical and Racial Difference in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study, a population-based sample of US residents aged ...

Abstract

With the proliferation of efforts to report publicly the outcomes of healthcare providers and institutions, there is a growing need to define standards for the methods that are being employed. An interdisciplinary writing group identified 7 preferred attributes of statistical models used for publicly reported outcomes. These attributes include (1) clear and explicit definition of an appropriate patient sample, (2) clinical coherence of model variables, (3) sufficiently high-quality and timely data, (4) designation of an appropriate reference time before which covariates ...

Abstract

Randomized controlled trials remain the gold standard study design and yield the highest level of scientific credence. However, recognition of the limitations of the randomized controlled trial is important. This review highlights 10 potentially problematic areas one should carefully assess when performing or reading an article reporting the results of a randomized controlled trial, problematic areas that can affect the outcome of the trial and therefore mislead the reader. These areas include ethical issues, eligibility criteria, masking (blinding), randomization, analytic methods, ...

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This guideline provides an overview of the evidence on various established and potential stroke risk factors and provides recommendations for the reduction of stroke risk. METHODS: Writing group members were nominated by the committee chair on the basis of each writer's previous work in relevant topic areas and were approved by the American Heart Association Stroke Council's Scientific Statement Oversight Committee. The writers used systematic literature reviews (covering the time period since the last review published in 2001 ...

Abstract

The racial disparity in the incidence of ESRD exemplified by the three- to four-fold excess risk among black compared with white individuals in the United States is not reflected in the prevalence of less severe degrees of impaired kidney function among black compared with white individuals. The four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation was used to evaluate the black-to-white prevalence of impaired kidney function with increasing severity of impairment among participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial ...

Abstract

This report describes the prevalence and characteristics of people with a family history of ESRD in a first-degree relative (FH-ESRD). This is a cross-sectional study of individuals in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort, a population-based sample of US residents who are 45 yr and older. FH-ESRD was ascertained at baseline among 12,030 participants of the cohort, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify characteristics that were independently associated with FH-ESRD. FH-ESRD was reported by ...