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Biometric Measurements and Normal Growth Parameters in a Child
Published in Nirmal Raj Gopinathan, Clinical Orthopedic Examination of a Child, 2021
Prateek Behera, Nirmal Raj Gopinathan
Height is measured using an infantometer or a stadiometer depending on the child’s age (see Chapter 16). Weight is measured using a weighing scale. The height and weight of a child when considered separately do not provide much information. When the height/length, weight, head circumference, and body mass index (BMI) are examined with respect to the child’s age, then an idea about his/her physical growth can be estimated. The best way to do so is by plotting the weight, height, etc., on growth charts like the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts (see Chapter 16). These charts primarily indicate the nutritional status, but they are indirect indicators of a child’s overall growth.
How should I prepare for modeling?
Published in Thomas A. Gerds, Michael W. Kattan, Medical Risk Prediction, 2021
Thomas A. Gerds, Michael W. Kattan
A predictor variable can be derived from one or several of the other variables in the database. For predictor variables that are derived from other variables, we need the explicit formula or computer algorithm that calculates their value for the new patients. A simple example of a derived predictor variable is body mass index (BMI) categorized as (normal, overweight, obese). The BMI is calculated on a continuous scale from body weight and body height measurements using the well-known formula and then categorized using population reference values. For illustration consider the following sample:
Observing identity
Published in Roger Ellis, Elaine Hogard, Professional Identity in the Caring Professions, 2020
Calum T. McHale, Joanne E. Cecil
The analysis presented in this case study formed part of a larger programme of doctoral research to investigate weight-related discussion in routine primary care consultations and the patient and practitioner factors that may influence communication interactions between primary care practitioners and their patients with overweight and obesity, using direct observation (McHale et al., 2016, 2019, 2020). This research was cross-sectional and employed multiple methods, including questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and video recording to address the research aims. Routine consultations between primary care practitioners and patients were video recorded in seven NHS primary care practices across Scotland. Following the consultation, patients met with a researcher who measured their height (centimetres) and weight (kilograms) using a calibrated set of scales and a stadiometer so that body mass index (BMI) could be calculated. To avoid biasing consultation discussions towards weight issues, all participants were informed that the study was observing general clinical communication processes. The study focus on weight discussion was disclosed to participants after all video recording was completed in each practice (McHale et al., 2019).
Radiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis: pharmacotherapies in recent and current clinical trials
Published in Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 2023
Alessandro Villa, Stephen T. Sonis
One of the most critical elements in assessing comparative efficacy across investigational agents has been the adoption of a uniform mucositis severity assessment [12]. With almost no exceptions the scoring scale developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) has been accepted for this role [13]. The scale is commonly used in clinical settings and represents a composite of clinical findings as they impact patient function (ability to eat). The assessment is not intrusive to perform and, when performed by trained assessors, is consistent between examiners and across sites. Scores indicating severe OM using WHO criteria (scores of 3 or 4) track well with other commonly used scales, including those which rely entirely on patient-reported outcomes. However, the WHO scale provides granularity, especially among patients with severe OM, that is missed by other scales. From a development standpoint, the clinical meaningfulness of attenuation of the WHO score by an investigational agent is easily interpretable and well understood. Furthermore, high WHO scores are associated with other clinical and non-clinical measurements of the burden of illness.
The role of extracranial carotid duplex in predicting functional outcome in first time lacunae strokes
Published in Neurological Research, 2023
Ting-Wei Jiang, Ying-Lin Hsu, Ju-Lan Yang, Yin-Tzer Shih, Chih-Ming Lin
All the patients were evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) [8], modified Rankin scale (mRS) [9], and Barthel Index [10] upon first admission to the emergency department (ED) for assessment of their neurological and independent capacities. The stroke case manager-in-charge documented the recordings and compared them with the neurologist values. If any major discrepancy existed, the ED doctor was called in to decide the final verification and measurements were ultimately documented on the medical sheets. NIHSS follow-ups took place up to 1 month after neurological ward discharge, while the Barthel Index and mRS were investigated up to 2 months and more than one year, respectively, after discharge. From the mRS perspective, patients were followed up 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge and the results were recorded on the medical computer system. The NIHSS score specifically measures patient neurological function and runs from 0 to 42 points, with higher points indicating more unfavorable/worse neurological deficits. The Barthel index is a clinical assessment tool designed for gauging the capacity of daily life activity ranging from 0 to 100 points, with the highest points representing the best daily independence a patient can reach. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is a commonly used scale for measuring the degree of disability or dependence in the daily activities of people who have suffered neurological disability from a stroke or from other causes. The scale runs from 0 (perfect health without symptoms) to 6 (death).
Statistical fit is like beauty: A rasch and factor analysis of the Scottish PROM
Published in Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 2022
Austyn Snowden, Leila Karimi, Heather Tan
One of the most important uses of short measures in clinical practice is to identify those in need of specialist services. To be clinically useful, a scale needs to tell the clinician when and how to act. For example, if Mr. Smith scores a total of x on the Scottish PROM©, please refer to chaplain for further assessment. Identifying the value of x in psychometric terms involves first identifying the ‘minimally important clinically significant difference’. The minimally important clinically significant difference is the score on a scale that equates to a meaningful change in whatever construct the scale is measuring. It could be related to a personally meaningful change in experience of back pain (Johnsen et al., 2013) for example. This ‘minimally important clinical difference’ is usually taken to be the standard deviation of the test (Schatz et al., 2009).