Cut-offs and response criteria for the Hospital Universitario la Princesa Index (HUPI) and their comparison to widely-used indices of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To estimate cut-off points and to establish response criteria for the Hospital Universitario La Princesa Index (HUPI) in patients with chronic polyarthritis. Methods Two cohorts, one of early arthritis (Princesa Early Arthritis Register Longitudinal PEARL] study) and other of long-term rheumatoid arthritis (Estudio de la Morbilidad y Expresión Clínica de la Artritis Reumatoide EMECAR]) including altogether 1200 patients were used to determine cut-off values for remission, and for low, moderate and high activity through receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. The areas under ROC (AUC) were compared to those of validated indexes (SDAI, CDAI, DAS28). ROC analysis was also applied to establish minimal and relevant clinical improvement for HUPI. Results The best cut-off points for HUPI are 2, 5 and 9, classifying RA activity as remission if =2, low disease activity if >2 and =5), moderate if >5 and <9 and high if =9. HUPI''s AUC to discriminate between low-moderate activity was 0.909 and between moderate-high activity 0.887. DAS28''s AUCs were 0.887 and 0.846, respectively; both indices had higher accuracy than SDAI (AUCs: 0.832 and 0.756) and CDAI (AUCs: 0.789 and 0.728). HUPI discriminates remission better than DAS28-ESR in early arthritis, but similarly to SDAI. The HUPI cut-off for minimal clinical improvement was established at 2 and for relevant clinical improvement at 4. Response criteria were established based on these cut-off values. Conclusions The cut-offs proposed for HUPI perform adequately in patients with either early or long term arthritis

Reproductive characteristics in fresian cattle

In a batch of 34 Fresian heifers integrated in the same Andalusian development, the possible influence of the age at which the animals are served for the first time over the duration of their gestation was studied. We have not found any relation between the two. The average age at the time they are first served was 19.22 ± 0.22 months. The gestation lasted 277.02±2.34 days. It is estimated that, in general, the existence of alternating period of hunger and alimentary sufficiency can negatively influence the body development of Fresian cattle but does not notably alter their physiology during gestation.En un lote de 34 frisonas integradas en la misma explotación andaluza, se estudia la posible influencia de la edad a que se cubren los animales por primera vez, sobre la duración de su gestación. No hemos encontrado relación entre ambos. La edad Media a la primera cubrición fue de 1922±0`22 meses. La gestación duro 277"0±2"34 días, Se estima que, en general, la existencia de periodos alternantes de hambre y saciedad alimenticia puede influir negativamente sobre el desarrollo corporal de bovinos de raza frisona Pero no altera notablemente su fisiologismo durante la gestación

Biometrical aspects of the weight at birth and weaning in Large White x Landrace piglets

The possible influence of the age of the gilt, represented by the number of births, on the average weight of suckling pigs at birth has been studied in cross breed Large White and Landrace. This coincides whith a previous work (Tena and col. 1974 b) on the Large White breed; in both of them, the maternal age has no significant influence on the birth weight of the suckling pigs. No significant difference has been found between the birth weights of Large White pigs and L. W. x Landrace pigs. Suckling pigs of the same parturition and size of the litter have been compared. In the 3rd., 4th., and 5th. parturitions, a negative and significant correlation is noted between the size of the litter and the average weight of the suckling pigs at birth. The total average weight of the L. W. x Landrace pigs at birth was 1"276± 0"018 kg., and the weight at weaning 12"830 + 0`229.Los autores han estudiado la posible influencia de la edad de la cerda, representada por su número de partos, sobre el peso medio de los lechones al nacimiento en el cruce Large White x Landrace. Se coincide con un trabajo anterior (Tena y col. 1974 b) referente a la rata Large White; en ambos, la edad materna no ha influido significativamente sobre el peso al nacimiento de los cerditos. No se ha encontrado diferencia significativa entre el peso al nacimiento en cerditos Large White y L. W. x Landrace. Se han comparado lechones del mismo parto y tamaño de la camada. El peso medio total de los cerditos L. W. x Landrace al nacer fue de 1"276 + 0`018 Kg. y el peso al destete (45 días) de 12"830 + 0"229 Kg

Maternal incidence on the birth and weaning weights of Large White x Pietrain sucking pigs

We continue a previous work (Tena and coll. 1974 d) on cross-bred Large White x Pietrain Piglets. The weights at birth and weaning (45 days) of the Large White x Pietrain pigs were: 1.275 to 0"278 Kg and 12.670 to 0"530 Kg, respectively. We did not find that the maternal age, represented by the number of pregnancies, had any influence on the average weights of the piglets at birth nor when weaned. The average weight of the piglets when weaned is significantly correlated with the weight at birth, in the fourm and fifth deliveries of the reproducing female pigs.Se continua un trabajo anterior (Tena y col. 1974 d) realizado en lechones cruzados Large White x Pietrain. Los pesos al nacimiento y destete (45 días) de los cerditos Large White x Pietrain fueron: 1’275 + 0"278 Kg y 12"670 + 0"530 Kg, respectivamente. No se ha encontrado influencia de la edad materna, representada por su número de partos, sobre el peso medio de los cerditos al nacer ni al destete. El peso medio de los lechones al destete esta correlacionado significativamente con el peso de nacimiento, en los partos 4° y 5° de las cerdas reproductoras

Sex and season of parturition in sows

In a total of 713 parturitions of 324 Large White sows, 180 Landrace and 209 hybrids belonging to the same farm with intensive production, programmed to obtain uniformity of parturition throughout the all year, we have controlled the sex of the piglets at birth and the season of delivery. We have not found that the season had a significant influence on the sex of the newborn pigs, although we noticed a constant predominance in the number of males over females, more accentuated in winter, but this difference is not statistically significant. Neither have we observed any significant variation of sex among the different experimental groups. The sexual cocient in the Large White sows was 1.060 and in the Landrace 1.049 and in the hybrids 1.021. In spring, summer, autumn and winter we observed sexual cocients of 1.044, 1.012, 1.020 and 1.274, respectivly.En un total de 713 partos de 324 cerdas Large White, 180 Landrace y 209 hibridas, pertenecientes a la misma explotación, en régimen intensivo, cuya paridera, programada, tendía a la uniformidad durante todo el alto, se ha controlado el sexo de los cerditos al nacimiento y la estación en que se produce el parto. No se ha encontrado influencia significativa de la estación sobre el sexo de los recién nacidos. Aunque se observa un predominio constante del número de lechones machos sobre el de hembras, mas acentuado en el invierno, dicho incremento no es significativo. Tampoco se observa variación sensible del sexo entre razas diferentes. El cociente sexual en las cerdas Large White fue 1"060, en las Landrace 1"049 y en las hibridas 1"021. En primavera, verano, otoño e invierno se apreciaron unos cocientes sexuales de 1"044, 1"012, 1"020 y 1"274, respectivamente

Variation in breeds in the period of gestation in pigs

The autors have studied the duration of gestation in a total of 713 gestations amongst Large White sows, Landrace sows and hybrid Large White X Landrace sows, and have ascertained an average of 114,3142 ± 0.0660 days. 25 p. 100 of the gestations were of 115 days, whilst only 3.6 p. 100 were of less than 111 days or of more than 118 days. It has been established that there is a significant variation; (P<0.05) between the period of gestation of the Large White, Landrace and hybrid Large White X Landrace breeds.Los autores han estudiado la duración de la gestación en un total de 713 gestaciones, pertenecientes a cerdas Large White, Landrace e hibridros Large White x Landrace, obteniendo un promedio de 114"3142+ 0"0660 días. El 25 p. 100 de las gestaciones fue de 115 días, mientras que solamente el 3"6 p. 100 fueron inferiores a 111 días o superiores a 118 días. Se ha encontrado que existe variación significativa (P<0"05) entre el periodo de gestación de las razas Large White, Landrace e hibridos Large White X Landrace

A study of the prolificity and viability, at the weaning stage, of Large White and Pietrain pigs

In a trial with pigs, being reared intensively, with 60 Large White breeding females and one male Pietrain, the prolificity and viability of their piglets was kept under observation, on weaning, during the first five litters. It has been possible to prove that the age of the sow, shown by the number of litters, influences significantly the number of piglets which are born. This influence was also found in pure breed Large White pigs (Terra and col. 1974a). The average viability of Large White Pietrain piglets, on weaning, was 80.55 p. 100 and no appreciable variation was observed between the number of weaned piglets belonging to different litters; this was possibly due to the distribution of the newly born piglets, designed to produce homogeneous litters and thus to make the task of rearing them easier. We have found a highly significant variation between the characteristics of prolificity and viability, on weaning (P<0"O01). In the 4th and 5th litters, a positive and significant correlation was assessed between the number of piglets born and the number weaned. The average of the piglets which there were at birth and at the weaning stage was 10.451 ±0.524 and 8.419±0.137, respectively.En una explotación porcina, de régimen intensivo, con 60 reproductoras Large White y 1 verraco Pietrain se ha controlado la prolificidad y viabilidad de sus lechones al destete (45 días) durante los 5 primeros partos. Se ha podido comprobar que la edad de la cerda, representada por su numero de partos, influye significativamente sobre el número de lechones al nacimiento. Esta influencia también se encontró en cerdos de pura rata Large White (Tena y col. 1974 a). La viabilidad media de los lechones Large White X Pietrain, al destete, fue del 80"55 p. 100, sin que se observe variación sensible entre el número de lechones destetados que proceden de camadas diferentes; posiblemente debido a la distribución de los lechones recién nacidos para formar camadas homogéneas, y así facilitar su cría. Hemos hallado variación altamente significativa entre los caracteres de prolificidad y viabilidad, al destete (Pr 0"001). En los partos 4.° y 5.° se aprecia correlación positiva y significativa entre el numero de lechones paridos y destetados. El promedio de lechones habidos al nacimiento y al destete fue de 10"451±0"524 y 8"419±0"137, respectivamente

The comparative responsiveness of Hospital Universitario Princesa Index and other composite indices for assessing rheumatoid arthritis activity

Objective To evaluate the responsiveness in terms of correlation of the Hospital Universitario La Princesa Index (HUPI) comparatively to the traditional composite indices used to assess disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to compare the performance of HUPI-based response criteria with that of the EULAR response criteria. Methods Secondary data analysis from the following studies: ACT-RAY (clinical trial), PROAR (early RA cohort) and EMECAR (pre-biologic era long term RA cohort). Responsiveness was evaluated by: 1) comparing change from baseline (Delta) of HUPI with Delta in other scores by calculating correlation coefficients; 2) calculating standardised effect sizes. The accuracy of response by HUPI and by EULAR criteria was analyzed using linear regressions in which the dependent variable was change in global assessment by physician (Delta GDA-Phy). Results Delta HUPI correlation with change in all other indices ranged from 0.387 to 0.791); HUPI's standardized effect size was larger than those from the other indices in each database used. In ACT-RAY, depending on visit, between 65 and 80% of patients were equally classified by HUPI and EULAR response criteria. However, HUPI criteria were slightly more stringent, with higher percentage of patients classified as non-responder, especially at early visits. HUPI response criteria showed a slightly higher accuracy than EULAR response criteria when using Delta GDA-Phy as gold standard. Conclusion HUPI shows good responsiveness in terms of correlation in each studied scenario (clinical trial, early RA cohort, and established RA cohort). Response criteria by HUPI seem more stringent than EULAR's