6 research outputs found
Systematic review of surveillance systems and methods for early detection of exotic, new and re-emerging diseases in animal populations
In this globalized world, the spread of new, exotic and re-emerging diseases has become one of the most important threats to animal production and public health. This systematic review analyses conventional and novel early detection methods applied to surveillance. In all, 125 scientific documents were considered for this study. Exotic (n = 49) and re-emerging (n = 27) diseases constituted the most frequently represented health threats. In addition, the majority of studies were related to zoonoses (n = 66). The approaches found in the review could be divided in surveillance modalities, both active (n = 23) and passive (n = 5); and tools and methodologies that support surveillance activities (n = 57). Combinations of surveillance modalities and tools (n = 40) were also found. Risk-based approaches were very common (n = 60), especially in the papers describing tools and methodologies (n = 50). The main applications, benefits and limitations of each approach were extracted from the papers. This information will be very useful for informing the development of tools to facilitate the design of cost-effective surveillance strategies. Thus, the current literature review provides key information about the advantages, disadvantages, limitations and potential application of methodologies for the early detection of new, exotic and re-emerging diseases
Functional impairment of systemic scleroderma patients with digital ulcerations: results from the DUO Registry
Objective. Digital ulcers (DUs) are frequent manifestations of systemic
scleroderma (SSc). This study assessed functional limitations due to DUs
among patients enrolled in the Digital Ulcer Outcome (DUO) Registry, an
international, multicentre, observational registry of SSc patients with
DU disease.
Methods. Patients completed at enrolment a DU-specific functional
assessment questionnaire with a 1-month recall period, measuring
impairment in work and daily activities, and hours of help needed from
others. Physician-reported clinical parameters were used to describe the
population. For patients who completed at least part of the
questionnaire, descriptive analyses were performed for overall results,
and stratified by number of DUs at enrolment.
Results. This study included 2327 patients who completed at least part
of the questionnaire. For patients with 0, 1-2, and DUs at enrolment,
mean overall work impairment during the prior month among
employed/self-employed patients was 28\%, 42\%, and 48\%, respectively.
Across all included patients, ability to perform daily activities was
impaired on average by 35\%, 54\%, and 63\%, respectively. Patients
required a mean of 2.0, 8.7, and 8.8 hours of paid help and 17.0, 35.9,
and 63.7 hours of unpaid help, respectively, due to DUs in the prior
month. Patients with DUs had more complications and medication use than
patients with no DUs.
Conclusion. With increasing number of DUs, SSc patients reported more
impairment in work and daily activities and required more support from
others