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Unlucky numbers: Fighting murder convictions that rest on shoddy stats
LEIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS— When a Dutch nurse named Lucia de Berk stood trial for serial murder in 2003, statistician Richard Gill was aware of the case. But he saw no reason to stick his nose into it. De Berk was a pediatric nurse at Juliana Children’s Hospital in The Hague. In 2001, after a baby died while she was on duty, a colleague told superiors that De Berk had been present at a suspiciously high number of deaths and resuscitations. Hospital staff immediately informed the police. When investigators reexamined records from De Berk’s shifts, they found 10 suspicious incidents. Three other hospitals where D...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - January 19, 2023 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research

Stroke Epidemiology and Incidence in Regional Queensland: Findings of the Regional Queensland Stroke (REQUEST) Study
CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of stroke in a regional Queensland population is similar to other regional populations and when compared with larger cities. Despite a global trend in stroke reduction, modifiable risk factors like hypertension and atrial arrhythmias continue to be over-represented in the stroke population. All-cause mortality after stroke is high especially during the initial period. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.PMID:36001407 | DOI:10.1111/imj.15917
Source: Atherosclerosis - August 24, 2022 Category: Cardiology Authors: Deepak Darshan Nisal Gange Daniel Chen Anthony Bragg Source Type: research

Underusage of Oral Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation: Can We Prevent More Strokes?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in Australia, affecting 2% of the population, and 6% of those over the age of 55 years [1]. The greatest contributor to morbidity and mortality in AF is its association with ischaemic stroke [2]. AF increases the risk of cardioembolic stroke five-fold, with an annual incidence of up to 7% [3]. There have been several validated tools developed to help individualise stroke risk, such as the CHADS2 [4], CHA2DS2-VASc [5], and more recently the CHA2DS2-VA score [6], all of which require the input of several vascular risk factors.
Source: Heart, Lung and Circulation - June 2, 2021 Category: Cardiology Authors: Karan Rao, Ravinay Bhindi Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Janssen Announces U.S. FDA Approval of PONVORY ™ (ponesimod), an Oral Treatment for Adults with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Proven Superior to Aubagio® (teriflunomide) in Reducing Annual Relapses and Brain Lesions
TITUSVILLE, N.J. – (March 19, 2021) – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PONVORY™ (ponesimod), a once-daily oral selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) modulator, to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease.1,2,3 PONVORY™ offers MS patients superior efficacy in reducing annualized relapse rates compared to an established oral therapy and a proven safety profile backed by ove...
Source: Johnson and Johnson - March 19, 2021 Category: Pharmaceuticals Tags: Innovation Source Type: news

Should This Patient Be Screened for Atrial Fibrillation?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Ann Intern Med. 2019 Dec 03;171(11):828-836 Authors: Burns RB, Zimetbaum P, Lubitz SA, Smetana GW Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 2.7 million to 6.1 million persons in the United States. Although some persons with AFib have no symptoms, others do. For those without symptoms, AFib may be detected by 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), single-lead monitors (such as ambulatory blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters), or consumer devices (such as wearable monitors and smartphones). Pulse pa...
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine - December 2, 2019 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Burns RB, Zimetbaum P, Lubitz SA, Smetana GW Tags: Ann Intern Med Source Type: research

Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Is Associated With Circadian and Other Variability in Embolus Detection
Conclusions: Embolism associated with asymptomatic carotid stenosis shows circadian variation with highest rates 4–6 h before midday. This corresponds with peak circadian incidence of stroke and other vascular complications. These and ASED Study results show that monitoring frequency, duration, and time of day are important in ES detection. Introduction Transcranial Doppler (TCD) detected microembolism in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) may help stratify the risk of stroke and other arterial disease complications in persons with advanced (≥60%) asymptomatic carotid stenosis. If so, this t...
Source: Frontiers in Neurology - April 15, 2019 Category: Neurology Source Type: research

Cardiovascular Programming During and After Diabetic Pregnancy: Role of Placental Dysfunction and IUGR
This study demonstrated that the incidence of ischemic heart disease and death were three times higher among men with low birth weight compared to men with high birth weight (5). Epidemiological investigations of adults born at the time of the Dutch famine between 1944 and 1945 revealed an association between maternal starvation and a low infant birth weight with a high incidence of hypertension and coronary heart disease in these adults (23). Furthermore, Painter et al. reported the incidence of early onset coronary heart disease among persons conceived during the Dutch famine (24). In that regard, Barker's findin...
Source: Frontiers in Endocrinology - April 8, 2019 Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research

Pioneering Australia ’s First Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, and has a major impact on morbidity and mortality; linked to one in 12 deaths in Australia [2]. Though appropriate rhythm management and stroke prevention are essential, arguably, prevention is likely to achieve the greatest impact on these outcomes. These Australian-first guidelines [1], developed by the Heart Foundation and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, incorporate the latest contemporary evidence in AF prevention by recommending a holistic approach.
Source: Heart, Lung and Circulation - November 1, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Cia Connell, Garry L.R. Jennings Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand: Australian clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation 2018.
Authors: Brieger D, Amerena J, Attia JR, Bajorek B, Chan KH, Connell C, Freedman B, Ferguson C, Hall T, Haqqani HM, Hendriks J, Hespe CM, Hung J, Kalman JM, Sanders P, Worthington J, Yan T, Zwar NA Abstract INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing in prevalence and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies for AF are continually evolving and care for patients requires confidence in integrating these new developments into practice. These clinical practice guidelines will assist Australian practitioners in the diagnosis and management of adult ...
Source: Medical Journal of Australia - August 3, 2018 Category: General Medicine Tags: Med J Aust Source Type: research

New Cochrane health evidence challenges belief that omega 3 supplements reduce risk of heart disease, stroke or death
New evidence published today shows there is little or no effect of omega 3 supplements on our risk of experiencing heart disease, stroke or death.Omega 3 is a type of fat. Small amounts of omega 3 fats are essential for good health, and they can be found in the food that we eat. The main types of omega 3 fatty acids are; alpha ­linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  ALA is normally found in fats from plant foods, such as nuts and seeds (walnuts and rapeseed are rich sources). EPA and DHA, collectively called long chain omega 3 fats, are naturally found in fatty fish, such as s...
Source: Cochrane News and Events - July 16, 2018 Category: Information Technology Authors: Muriah Umoquit Source Type: news

Modafinil for the Improvement of Patient Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Conclusion. Modafinil is a central nervous system stimulant with well-established effectiveness in the treatment of narcolepsy and shift-work sleep disorder. There is conflicting evidence about the benefits of modafinil in the treatment of fatigue and EDS secondary to TBI. One randomized, controlled study states that modafinil does not significantly improve patient wakefulness, while another concludes that modafinil corrects EDS but not fatigue. An observational study provides evidence that modafinil increases alertness in fatigued patients with past medical history of brainstem diencephalic stroke or multiple sclerosis. ...
Source: Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience - April 1, 2018 Category: Neuroscience Authors: ICNS Online Editor Tags: Current Issue Review excessive daytime sleep fatigue head injury modafinil stroke TBI traumatic brain injury Source Type: research

Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation
ConclusionsAlthough the prevalence of AF worldwide is increasing steadily, large variation can be seen between studies and countries. Further epidemiological studies should be undertaken globally, especially in Asian and African countries so that a better and more accurate picture of the incidence and prevalence of AF can be captured, to enable stroke prevention strategies to be appropriately implemented to prevent or reduce the risk of stroke, the most severe consequence of AF.
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - March 1, 2018 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Hanis Zulkifly, Gregory Y. H. Lip, Deirdre A. Lane Tags: PERSPECTIVE Source Type: research

Anticoagulation knowledge in patients with atrial fibrillation: An Australian survey
ConclusionThe study identified knowledge gaps in patients taking OACs, and these deficiencies appeared to be greater in participants taking DOACs. Knowledge assessment should be integrated into patient counselling sessions to help identify and resolve knowledge deficits.
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - January 1, 2018 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Kehinde O. Obamiro, Leanne Chalmers, Kenneth Lee, Bonnie J. Bereznicki, Luke R. E. Bereznicki Tags: ORIGINAL PAPER Source Type: research