Reproductive and hormonal risk factors for thyroid cancer in Los Angeles County females.
(17/994)
We conducted an individually matched case-control study (292 pairs) of female thyroid cancer patients to examine the role of reproductive history and exogenous hormones in this disease. Radiation treatment to the head or neck [28 cases and 2 controls exposed; odds ratio (OR), 14.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.5-121.3] and certain benign thyroid diseases (including adolescent thyroid enlargement, goiter, and nodules or tumors) were strongly associated with thyroid cancer. Irregular menstruation increased risk (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9-3.7). Age at menarche and pregnancy history were not related to disease. Women with natural menopause and hysterectomized women without oophorectomy had no increase in risk, but disease risk was elevated in women with bilateral oophorectomy (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.1-38.1). In general, use of oral contraceptives and other exogenous estrogens was not associated with thyroid cancer. However, risk increased with number of pregnancies in women using lactation suppressants (P = 0.03) and decreased with duration of breastfeeding (P = 0.04). These data provide only limited support for the hypothesis that reproductive and hormonal exposures are responsible for the marked excess of thyroid cancer risk in adult females. (+info)
Identifying stroke in the field. Prospective validation of the Los Angeles prehospital stroke screen (LAPSS).
(18/994)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reliable identification of stroke patients in the field by prehospital personnel could expedite delivery of acute stroke therapy. The Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen (LAPSS) is a 1-page instrument designed to allow prehospital personnel to rapidly identify acute stroke patients in the field. We performed a prospective, in-the-field validation study of the LAPSS. METHODS: Paramedics assigned to 3 University of California at Los Angeles-based advanced life support units were trained and certified in use of the LAPSS. Over 7 months, paramedics completed the LAPSS on noncomatose, nontrauma patients with complaints suggestive of neurological disease. LAPSS form stroke identification results were compared with emergency department and final hospital discharge diagnoses. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and likelihood ratios were calculated for LAPSS identification of ischemic stroke, currently symptomatic transient ischemic attack, and intracerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS: Of a total of 1298 runs, 34% were for nontraumatic, noncomatose neurologically relevant complaints. Thirty-six of these patients (3% of all transports) had a final diagnosis of acute symptomatic cerebrovascular disease (21 ischemic strokes, 7 transient ischemic attacks, and 8 intracerebral hemorrhages). LAPSS forms were completed on 206 patients. Paramedic performance when completing the LAPSS demonstrated sensitivity of 91% (95% CI, 76% to 98%), specificity of 97% (95% CI, 93% to 99%), positive predictive value of 86% (95% CI, 70% to 95%), and negative predictive value of 98% (95% CI, 95% to 99%). With correction for the 4 documentation errors, positive predictive value increased to 97% (95% CI, 84% to 99%). CONCLUSIONS: The LAPSS allows prehospital personnel to identify patients with acute cerebral ischemia and intracerebral hemorrhage with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. (+info)
Young guns: an empirical study of persons who use a firearm in a suicide or a homicide.
(19/994)
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to identify population groups at highest risk of using a firearm in a fatal incident. SETTING: Los Angeles County (California, USA). METHODS: Data were gathered from vital statistics reports and law enforcement records on the characteristics of suicide victims (n = 4799) and homicide suspects (n = 5369) from 1990 through 1994. Logistic regression was used to identify characteristics of the actor/perpetrator that were associated with firearm use. RESULTS: Persons less than 21 years old and males were more likely to use a firearm to kill themselves or someone else. Even when their other demographic attributes and characteristics of the incident itself were taken into consideration, persons under the age of 18 were substantially more likely than those 21 or more years old to use a firearm in the commission of a homicide (adjusted odds ratio = 2.59). Asians were less likely than white people to use a firearm in the commission of a suicide, whereas black people, Hispanics, and Asians were more likely than whites to use a firearm in the commission of a homicide. CONCLUSIONS: The US enacts and enforces some policies differentially by age. These data support the idea that such an approach may be warranted when addressing fatalities associated with the use of a firearm. Of particular interest, given minimum age requirements for firearm purchases, is the source of the weapons themselves. (+info)
What drives Medicare managed care growth?
(20/994)
We conducted case studies of four markets--Los Angeles, New York City, Portland (OR), and Tampa-St. Petersburg--to learn more about why Medicare managed care develops differently across the country even when capitation rates are similar. Our analysis highlights the importance of prior managed care history, beneficiary characteristics, supplemental coverage patterns, the form of provider organization, practice patterns, care expectations, and other market characteristics to the development of Medicare managed care. Policymakers seeking to expand Medicare managed care need to go beyond national statistics to understand how local market forces affect its growth. (+info)
The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations: application to medical care use and outcomes for homeless people.
(21/994)
OBJECTIVES: (1) To present the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, a major revision of a leading model of access to care that is particularly applicable to vulnerable populations; and (2) to test the model in a prospective study designed to define and determine predictors of the course of health services utilization and physical health outcomes within one vulnerable population: homeless adults. We paid particular attention to the effects of mental health, substance use, residential history, competing needs, and victimization. METHODS: A community-based probability sample of 363 homeless individuals was interviewed and examined for four study conditions (high blood pressure, functional vision impairment, skin/leg/foot problems, and tuberculosis skin test positivity). Persons with at least one study condition were followed longitudinally for up to eight months. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Homeless adults had high rates of functional vision impairment (37 percent), skin/leg/foot problems (36 percent), and TB skin test positivity (31 percent), but a rate of high blood pressure similar to that of the general population (14 percent). Utilization was high for high blood pressure (81 percent) and TB skin test positivity (78 percent), but lower for vision impairment (33 percent) and skin/leg/foot problems (44 percent). Health status for high blood pressure, vision impairment, and skin/leg/foot problems improved over time. In general, more severe homeless status, mental health problems, and substance abuse did not deter homeless individuals from obtaining care. Better health outcomes were predicted by a variety of variables, most notably having a community clinic or private physician as a regular source of care. Generally, use of currently available services did not affect health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Homeless persons are willing to obtain care if they believe it is important. Our findings suggest that case identification and referral for physical health care can be successfully accomplished among homeless persons and can occur concurrently with successful efforts to help them find permanent housing, alleviate their mental illness, and abstain from substance abuse. (+info)
Comprehensive HIV services under a capitated reimbursement system: AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
(22/994)
The application of capitated managed care systems to Medicaid populations has increased as part of an effort to control healthcare costs. The difficulties of caring for people with HIV and AIDS in the Medicaid population is compounded by the issues of impoverishment and access to care. In this profile, we discuss the rationale for and planning involved with creating the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a community-based program providing comprehensive and coordinated care for people with HIV and AIDS. (+info)
Fatigue in breast cancer survivors: occurrence, correlates, and impact on quality of life.
(23/994)
PURPOSE: To describe the occurrence of fatigue in a large sample of breast cancer survivors relative to general population norms and to identify demographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics of fatigued survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Breast cancer survivors in two large metropolitan areas completed standardized questionnaires as part of a survey study, including the RAND 36-item Health Survey, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale, and demographic and treatment-related measures. RESULTS: On average, the level of fatigue reported by the breast cancer survivors surveyed (N = 1,957) was comparable to that of age-matched women in the general population, although the breast cancer survivors were somewhat more fatigued than a more demographically similar reference group. Approximately one third of the breast cancer survivors assessed reported more severe fatigue, which was associated with significantly higher levels of depression, pain, and sleep disturbance. In addition, fatigued women were more bothered by menopausal symptoms and were somewhat more likely to have received chemotherapy (with or without radiation therapy) than nonfatigued women. In multivariate analyses, depression and pain emerged as the strongest predictors of fatigue. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of breast cancer survivors in this large and diverse sample did not experience heightened levels of fatigue relative to women in the general population, there was a subgroup of survivors who did report more severe and persistent fatigue. We identified characteristics of these women that may be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms underlying fatigue in this population, as well as directing intervention efforts. (+info)
A multiethnic cohort in Hawaii and Los Angeles: baseline characteristics.
(24/994)
The authors describe the design and implementation of a large multiethnic cohort established to study diet and cancer in the United States. They detail the source of the subjects, sample size, questionnaire development, pilot work, and approaches to future analyses. The cohort consists of 215,251 adult men and women (age 45-75 years at baseline) living in Hawaii and in California (primarily Los Angeles County) with the following ethnic distribution: African-American (16.3%), Latino (22.0%), Japanese-American (26.4%), Native Hawaiian (6.5%), White (22.9%), and other ancestry (5.8%). From 1993 to 1996, participants entered the cohort by completing a 26-page, self-administered mail questionnaire that elicited a quantitative food frequency history, along with demographic and other information. Response rates ranged from 20% in Latinos to 49% in Japanese-Americans. As expected, both within and among ethnic groups, the questionnaire data show substantial variations in dietary intakes (nutrients as well as foods) and in the distributions of non-dietary risk factors (including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical activity). When compared with corresponding ethnic-specific cancer incidence rates, the findings provide tentative support for several current dietary hypotheses. As sufficient numbers of cancer cases are identified through surveillance of the cohort, dietary and other hypotheses will be tested in prospective analyses. (+info)