Citation: PloS one 2016, 11(7)
Author: Fallon N, Chiu Y, Nurmikko T, Stancak A
Abstract: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients show altered connectivity with the network maintaining ongoing resting brain activity, known as the default mode network (DMN). The connectivity patterns of DMN with the rest of the brain in FMS patients are poorly understood. This study employed seed-based functional connectivity analysis to investigate resting-state functional connectivity with DMN structures in FMS. Sixteen female FMS patients and 15 age-matched, healthy control subjects underwent T2-weighted resting-state MRI scanning and functional connectivity analyses using DMN network seed regions. FMS patients demonstrated alterations to connectivity between DMN structures and anterior midcingulate cortex, right parahippocampal gyrus, left superior parietal lobule and left inferior temporal gyrus. Correlation analysis showed that reduced functional connectivity between the DMN and the right parahippocampal gyrus was associated with longer duration of symptoms in FMS patients, whereas augmented connectivity between the anterior midcingulate and posterior cingulate cortices was associated with tenderness and depression scores. Our findings demonstrate alterations to functional connectivity between DMN regions and a variety of regions which are important for pain, cognitive and emotional processing in FMS patients, and which may contribute to the development or maintenance of chronic symptoms in FMS.
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Friday 22 July 2016
Monday 18 July 2016
WUTH publication: The UK Neovascular AMD Database Report 3: inter-centre variation in visual acuity outcomes and establishing real-world measures of care
Citation: Eye. 2016, 30(11), 1462-1468
Author: Liew G, Lee AY, Zarranz-Ventura J, Stratton I, Bunce C, Chakravarthy U, Lee CS, Keane PA, Sim DA, Akerele T, McKibbin M, Downey L, Natha S, Bailey C, Khan R, Antcliff R, Armstrong S, Varma A, Kumar V, Tsaloumas M, Mandal K, Egan C, Johnston RL, Tufail A
Abstract: Purpose. International variations in visual acuity (VA) outcomes of eyes treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are well-documented, but intra-country inter-centre regional variations are not known. These data are important for national quality outcome indicators. We aimed to determine intra-country and inter-centre regional variations in outcomes for treatment of nAMD. Patients and methods Prospective multicentre national database study of 13 UK centres that treated patients according to a set protocol (three loading doses, followed by Pro-Re-Nata retreatment). A total of 5811 treatment naive eyes of 5205 patients received a total of 36 206 ranibizumab injections over 12 months. Results Mean starting VA between centres varied from 48.9 to 59.9 ETDRS letters. Mean inter-centre VA change from baseline to 12 months varied from +6.9 letters to -0.6 letters (mean of +2.5 letters). The proportion of eyes achieving VA of 70 letters or more varied between 21.9 and 48.7% at 12 months. Median number of injections (visits) at each centre varied from 5 to 8 (9 to 12), with an overall median of 6 (11). Age, starting VA, number of injections, and visits, but not gender were significantly associated with variation in these VA outcomes (P<0.01). Significant variation between centres persisted even after adjusting for these factors. Conclusion There are modest differences in VA outcomes between centres in the UK. These differences are influenced, but not completely explained, by factors such as patient age, starting VA, number of injections, and visits. These data provide an indication of the VA outcomes that are achievable in real-world settings..
Link to PubMed record
Author: Liew G, Lee AY, Zarranz-Ventura J, Stratton I, Bunce C, Chakravarthy U, Lee CS, Keane PA, Sim DA, Akerele T, McKibbin M, Downey L, Natha S, Bailey C, Khan R, Antcliff R, Armstrong S, Varma A, Kumar V, Tsaloumas M, Mandal K, Egan C, Johnston RL, Tufail A
Abstract: Purpose. International variations in visual acuity (VA) outcomes of eyes treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are well-documented, but intra-country inter-centre regional variations are not known. These data are important for national quality outcome indicators. We aimed to determine intra-country and inter-centre regional variations in outcomes for treatment of nAMD. Patients and methods Prospective multicentre national database study of 13 UK centres that treated patients according to a set protocol (three loading doses, followed by Pro-Re-Nata retreatment). A total of 5811 treatment naive eyes of 5205 patients received a total of 36 206 ranibizumab injections over 12 months. Results Mean starting VA between centres varied from 48.9 to 59.9 ETDRS letters. Mean inter-centre VA change from baseline to 12 months varied from +6.9 letters to -0.6 letters (mean of +2.5 letters). The proportion of eyes achieving VA of 70 letters or more varied between 21.9 and 48.7% at 12 months. Median number of injections (visits) at each centre varied from 5 to 8 (9 to 12), with an overall median of 6 (11). Age, starting VA, number of injections, and visits, but not gender were significantly associated with variation in these VA outcomes (P<0.01). Significant variation between centres persisted even after adjusting for these factors. Conclusion There are modest differences in VA outcomes between centres in the UK. These differences are influenced, but not completely explained, by factors such as patient age, starting VA, number of injections, and visits. These data provide an indication of the VA outcomes that are achievable in real-world settings..
Link to PubMed record
Wednesday 13 July 2016
WUTH publication: Nomograms for calculating drug doses in obese adults
Citation: Anaesthesia. 2016, 71(8), 977-8
Author: Callaghan LC, Walker JD, Williams DJ
Link to PubMed record
Author: Callaghan LC, Walker JD, Williams DJ
Link to PubMed record
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