Articles tagged with Risk Assessment
A new study analyzed over 230,000 physician-years of coverage and found that 7.4% of all physicians faced a claim, but only 1.6% made a malpractice payment. The risk of making payment varied from around 5% in low-risk specialties to nearly 20% in high-risk specialties.
A study analyzing nearly 500,000 individuals found that the risk of bladder cancer among smokers is significantly higher than reported in previous studies. The risk for women smokers was comparable to men's, and former smokers had a 2.2 times increased risk, while current smokers faced about 4 times higher risk relative to never smokers.
A new risk assessment model predicts development of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in individuals with early symptoms. The model identifies phenotypic, demographic, environmental, and genetic risk factors, accurately predicting progression and helping determine follow-up examinations and preventive measures.
The FRAX tool has been validated in 11 independent cohorts covering over 1 million patient years, providing empirical evidence to guide intervention. However, clinicians should be aware of the tool's limitations, including exclusion of certain risk factors and failure to account for variations in fracture rates within countries.
A new study suggests that people with higher levels of optimism may be less likely to have a stroke. The research found that each point increase in optimism corresponded to a 9 percent decrease in acute stroke risk over a two-year follow-up period.
A Nordic study of 60,650 singletons from ART registers found a marginal increase in the risk of stillbirth in ART children compared to naturally conceived peers. The overall risk remains low, however.
A study found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer who are also smokers have an increased risk of dying from prostate cancer, as well as all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. Smoking cessation after diagnosis did not significantly impact mortality risks compared to never-smokers.
Researchers found that established fracture prediction methods were associated with hip and nonspine fracture risk in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Femoral neck BMD T score and FRAX score were linked to fracture risk, but patients with DM had a higher risk of fracture at the same scores as those without DM.
A recent study by an international team of researchers found that the processes of extinction and speciation are linked in plants, with young species often appearing at high risk of extinction. This challenges the application of the same threat criteria across living organisms and regions.
A new study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases found that high levels of saturated fat in dairy products do not increase the risk of heart attack. Instead, other nutrients in dairy products, such as calcium and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), may have protective effects against heart disease.
Two widely used multi-gene tests produce broadly similar results for high- and low-risk breast cancer patients, but differ for those at intermediate risk. The study's findings suggest that these tests can provide additional independent prognostic information to help clinicians make informed treatment decisions.
A randomized trial found that older workers who received personalized coaching alongside a web-based risk assessment reported improved physical activity and reduced dietary fat intake. In contrast, those in a control group experienced a decline in waist circumference at six months that was maintained at 12 months.
A study found that receiving higher prescribed doses of opioids is associated with an increased risk of opioid overdose death, but receiving both as-needed and regularly scheduled doses is not. The study included data on over 154,000 patients who received opioid therapy for pain.
Researchers estimate that airport backscatter scanners emit extremely low levels of radiation, comparable to natural exposure from the sun and earth. The analysis suggests that these devices do not significantly increase the lifetime risk of cancer for travelers, even frequent flyers.
A study found an association between occasional physical activity and a short-term increased risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death. The absolute risk was small, but those with high levels of regular physical activity were less susceptible to the triggering effect of episodic physical activity.
A study found that long-term bisphosphonate therapy is associated with an increased risk of subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fractures, while reducing typical osteoporotic fractures. The researchers suggest reconsidering extended therapy for patients at low fracture risk and exploring drug holidays to mitigate this risk.
Researchers analyzed data from 592 patients with type 1 diabetes and macroalbuminuria to identify predictors of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and pre-ESRD mortality. The study found that poor glycemic control increases ESRD risk but not pre-ESRD mortality, while improved lipid management affects both outcomes.
A recent study found that adhering to current guidelines for treating intensive-care unit patients with multi-drug resistant pneumonia may result in higher mortality rates. The authors suggest re-assessing the guidelines due to a lack of evidence supporting triple antibiotic therapy.
A UCLA-led study finds that health care reform can improve coordination between assessing disease risk and providing appropriate tests and follow-up medical services. The law expanded coverage for an annual wellness visit, which includes assessing risk for disease and developing a personalized prevention plan.
A new study identifies genetic variants associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart attacks. The researchers found that certain genetic profiles increase the risk of CAD and heart attacks in individuals with CAD, while blood group O offers protection against heart attacks.
A computer decision model suggests that statin therapy may increase the risk of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with a history of brain hemorrhage. Statins may not provide sufficient benefits to outweigh these risks for this patient group, particularly those with lobar intracerebral hemorrhage.
New research presents findings on patient and physician understanding and use of family health history to assess disease risk. Family health history information is shown to be a useful and accurate tool for assessing an individual's risk of developing various diseases.
A study published in JAMA found that the use of a fall prevention tool kit with health information technology reduced patient falls in hospitals by 30%. The intervention, which included a fall risk assessment and personalized prevention plans, was most effective for older patients.
Archaeologists issue call to action for scientists to assess and preserve archaeological sites at risk from sea level rise and urban development. A scientifically sound method has been proposed to measure vulnerability using quantifiable factors like shoreline change and geomorphology.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found a positive correlation between investor risk tolerance and stock market returns, indicating investors buy stocks at high prices and sell at low prices. Improved financial education is recommended to help Americans overcome biases in investment decisions.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing image processing technology to analyze large amounts of video data and recognize potential risk situations. The new application can identify, locate and track abandoned luggage, allowing security authorities to take swift action.
Regular beer consumption is linked to an increased risk of developing psoriasis. Non-light beer drinkers have a higher risk compared to those who don't drink beer or consume light beer.
The University of Leicester has developed an online diabetes risk assessment tool using 7 questions to identify those at high risk. The tool is being used in a number of studies to encourage people to see their doctor and has already been taken by over 21,000 individuals.
A study published in JAMA found that a genetic risk score is strongly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and can predict the type of disease. The researchers identified specific genes that have different effects on different subtypes of breast cancer.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that overweight and obese women have a 30% greater risk of induced preterm birth before 37 weeks, increasing to 70% for very obese women. This higher risk is associated with serious health problems for the baby, especially when born earlier than 32 weeks.
A meta-analysis of published evidence reveals painters are at significantly increased risk of developing bladder cancer. The risk increases with length of employment as a painter, and persists even after accounting for smoking and other risk factors.
A Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology study found that executives with higher negative emotional traits took fewer risks, while those with higher educational levels took more. The researchers analyzed data from 70 banks and 46 savings banks, discovering a significant connection between the CEO's emotional traits and firm risk.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry use ATP-driven bioluminescence to assess children's oral bacteria and plaque, linking it to caries risk. The study finds a strong statistical association between ATP measurements and bacterial numbers in saliva and plaque specimens.
Researchers found that risk assessment analysis can identify patients without PE, allowing for reduced radiation exposure and cost savings. The study's results suggest that thromboembolic risk factor assessment can be an effective method to determine when to perform CT angiography for PE.
Use of vascular closure devices and anticoagulant bivalirudin significantly reduced bleeding rates in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Higher-risk patients were less likely to receive these treatments, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Treatment with alteplase until 4.5 hours from stroke onset enhances favourable outcome chances, while late treatment is associated with reduced short-term survival and increased mortality risk. Early treatment initiation is crucial to maximize benefit and minimize risks.
A study identified two genetic variations linked to Alzheimer's disease, but these did not enhance the ability to predict AD risk. The findings provide insights into pathophysiological mechanisms of AD.
A review of available breast cancer risk assessment tools reveals their limitations, particularly in assessing individual risks. The models rely heavily on known risk factors, with up to 60% of breast cancers arising without them.
A coronary artery calcium score provides a better estimate of future heart disease events when added to traditional risk factors, especially for those at intermediate risk. The study found that the score accurately placed 77% of participants into high or low risk categories.
A leading medical authority criticizes the use of anti-aging hormones, citing little to no benefit and high risks. Dr. Thomas T. Perls advocates for caution and proper guidance for patients seeking healthy aging solutions.
An analysis suggests that the use of gabapentin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, tiagabine, and valproate may be associated with an increased risk of suicidal acts. The study found a higher risk of suicide attempts or violent deaths in patients taking these medications compared to topiramate.
Researchers have identified four relatively simple measures of alcohol consumption that can accurately index the genetic risk for alcohol dependence in both women and men. These findings provide significant implications for risk identification and suggest that simpler measures of drinking behavior may be sufficient to capture the same ...
A landmark international study of over 60,000 women found that many are unaware of their risk factors for debilitating fractures, which can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and increased mortality. The study emphasizes the need for improved education on osteoporosis risk factors and treatment options.
Despite being a common medical emergency, half of UK patients needing emergency investigation for sudden gut bleeding still wait too long for endoscopy. This audit reveals significant delays and underuse of standard treatment, affecting thousands of lives annually.
Researchers found that environmental chemicals form a complex cocktail, leading to greater toxicity than individual chemicals. The EU recommends implementing guidelines for managing the chemical cocktail effect to assess risks to humans and the environment.
An analysis of nearly 25 years of data found a strong association between socioeconomic position and risk of death, with health behaviors explaining 42% of the association. Health behaviors assessed at baseline explained 29% of the gradient for cardiovascular mortality, increasing to 45% when entered as time-dependent covariates.
Researchers created a risk assessment method based on race, Medicaid eligibility, and neighborhood characteristics, which identified even more high-risk children than current methods. The new approach could save taxpayers $153,000 by reducing unnecessary lead poisoning tests.
A study analyzing three studies on chocolate and stroke found that eating chocolate may reduce stroke risk by up to 46% and lower the risk of death after suffering a stroke. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
A study published by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine found that women with fibroids are at a significantly increased risk of stillbirth. The research discovered that pregnancies with fetal growth restriction had an even higher risk of IUFD, with absolute risk remaining rare.
A new approach to smoking cessation uses individualized risk assessments to motivate smokers to quit. Studies show that tests like Respiragene improve quit rates by providing smokers with personalized information about their risk of lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases.
Regular coffee consumption was associated with a 7% reduced risk of diabetes, while decaffeinated coffee had a one-third lower risk. Tea consumption also showed a significant protective effect, with a one-fifth lower risk. The study suggests that compounds in these beverages may have direct biological effects.
A meta-analysis of 457,922 participants found that drinking regular or decaffeinated coffee lowered diabetes risk by approximately 25%, while those who consumed three to four cups daily had a one-third lower risk. Tea consumption was also associated with a reduced risk, with more cups per day resulting in greater protection.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that carotid endarterectomy surgery significantly reduces the risk of future strokes in patients with chronic kidney disease. The procedure was shown to be safe and effective, without increasing the risk of death from surgical complications.
Researchers at MIT developed a new modeling methodology to determine the capacity and assess risks of leakage in potential underground carbon-dioxide reservoirs. The tool can quickly predict how carbon dioxide will migrate through subsurface, reducing hours or days of computational time required.
Researchers analyzed all clinical trials of rofecoxib before its market withdrawal and found an association between the drug and increased cardiovascular risk as early as December 2000. The study provided a roadmap for assessing drug safety after product introduction, highlighting the importance of public disclosure of trial results.
The analysis found that hazard ratios for vascular disease were nearly identical with non-HDL-C and HDL-C measurements as those seen with apo B and apo AI. Moreover, triglyceride concentration was not independently related to CHD risk after controlling for HDL-C and total cholesterol levels.
A recent study by Dr. Khaled El Emam found that hospital pharmacy prescription records can easily re-identify patients, posing a significant privacy risk. The study demonstrates a methodology for de-identifying patient data to maintain patient confidentiality.
A new analysis by MIT researchers reveals that even moderate carbon-reduction policies can substantially lower the risk of future climate change. To avoid a 2 degree Celsius temperature increase, global emissions reductions are required now to provide a good chance of stabilizing the climate.
A non-invasive test can effectively screen for silent heart disease and identify high-risk patients, potentially preventing heart attacks and sudden deaths. Coronary artery calcium scans detected plaque in coronary arteries, which were more effective than standard measurements.
Women taking hormone therapy have a 38% increased risk of ovarian cancer, with risks increasing by 44% for epithelial tumors. The absolute risk is approximately 1 extra ovarian cancer for every 8,300 women taking hormone therapy annually.