Prediction of changes in functional ability of inpatients with schizophrenia using logarithmic and linear regression modelling

Background/Objective Few studies have addressed the type of time course regression that can predict changes in functional ability in inpatients with schizophrenia. This study investigated the possibility of predicting changes in functional ability by logarithmic and linear regression modelling when treating schizophrenia. Methods This longitudinal study included two analysis rounds. Analysis 1 comprised 40 inpatients (male/female: 16/24, mean age: 39.7 ± 13.5 years) for the identification of the time course of changes in functional ability based on the Activity Profile Scale for Patients with Psychiatric Disorders score from the group data. Analysis 2 comprised 17 inpatients (male/female: 9/8, mean age: 38.5 ± 9.4 years) to ensure correlation of the group data with the prediction of each individual’s degree of functional ability. Results In Analysis 1, Activity Profile Scale for Patients with Psychiatric Disorders score was assessed at the initial occupational therapy visit, one week and one month thereafter, and at discharge; logarithmic modelling using the scores at the initial visit, one month later and at discharge was more suitable (R 2  = .506, p  < .001) than the logarithmic and linear regression models using other score combinations. In Analysis 2, the individual’s predicted Activity Profile Scale for Patients with Psychiatric Disorders scores at discharge, as calculated by logarithmic modelling using scores from the initial visit and one month later, correlated moderately with actual Activity Profile Scale for Patients with Psychiatric Disorders scores (R 2  = .574, p  < .001; ICC = .747, p  < .001). Conclusion Logarithmic modelling based on Activity Profile Scale for Patients with Psychiatric Disorders score accurately predicted changes in the functional ability of inpatients with schizophrenia and is sufficiently uncomplicated to be adopted in daily clinical practice

The central vein access port and catheter in outpatient chemotherapy for colorectal cancer: a retrospective study of 101 patients

Background: The central venous access port (CV-port) system was examined in a series of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods: One hundred and one CRC patients underwent chemotherapy with the FOLFOX or FOLFIRI regimen. The complications of the CV-port system were retrospectively assessed. Results: A total of 101 patients had the CV-port system placed. The patients received a total of 1035 courses of these regimens. Eight complications occurred in the 101 patients (7.9%). The complications included three instances of catheter rupture, two thrombotic events around the catheter, and three infections at the site of the port or catheter. The complications were identified after a median of 9 courses (range 6–16) and 135 days after the placement of the CV-port system. Sixty-six of the 101 patients switched their regimen from FOLFOX to another regimen, and 4 of these 66 patients (6.1%) experienced complications associated with the CV-port system. There were 25 subjects who were admitted to the hospital emergency wing during the chemotherapeutic regimens, and 4 of these patients (16%) had complications associated with the CV-port system. Conclusions: The complications of the CV-port system occurred at a defined rate, therefore the early diagnosis and the appropriate treatment to address these complications is crucial

The predictive validity of the Drinking-Related Cognitions Scale in alcohol-dependent patients under abstinence-oriented treatment

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cognitive factors associated with drinking behavior such as positive alcohol expectancies, self-efficacy, perception of impaired control over drinking and perception of drinking problems are considered to have a significant influence on treatment effects and outcome in alcohol-dependent patients. However, the development of a rating scale on lack of perception or denial of drinking problems and impaired control over drinking has not been substantial, even though these are important factors in patients under abstinence-oriented treatment as well as participants in self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The Drinking-Related Cognitions Scale (DRCS) is a new self-reported rating scale developed to briefly measure cognitive factors associated with drinking behavior in alcohol-dependent patients under abstinence-oriented treatment, including positive alcohol expectancies, abstinence self-efficacy, perception of impaired control over drinking, and perception of drinking problems. Here, we conducted a prospective cohort study to explore the predictive validity of DRCS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants in this study were 175 middle-aged and elderly Japanese male patients who met the DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Dependence. DRCS scores were recorded before and after the inpatient abstinence-oriented treatment program, and treatment outcome was evaluated one year after discharge.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 175 participants, 30 were not available for follow-up; thus the number of subjects for analysis in this study was 145. When the total DRCS score and subscale scores were compared before and after inpatient treatment, a significant increase was seen for both scores. Both the total DRCS score and each subscale score were significantly related to total abstinence, percentage of abstinent days, and the first drinking occasion during the one-year post-treatment period. Therefore, good treatment outcome was significantly predicted by low positive alcohol expectancies, high abstinence self-efficacy, high perception level of impaired control over drinking, and high perception level of drinking problems measured by DRCS.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The DRCS was considered to have satisfactory predictive validity, which further supports our previous findings. It was suggested that DRCS is a promising rating scale for evaluating multidimensional cognitive factors associated with drinking behavior in alcohol-dependent patients under abstinence-oriented treatment.</p