To test the external validity selleck compound of a previously published mapping algorithm to transform the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire responses into EQ-5D-derived utilities by predicting EQ-5D utilities from QLQ-C30 scores.

Comparative retrospective data analysis of four multicentre, prospective clinical trials in Breast, Multiple Myeloma, Non-Hodgkin

Lymphoma and Non-Small-Cell Lung cancer patients with, respectively, 219, 172, 132 and 172 patients. Regression analysis of individual pairs of EQ-5D and QLQ-C30 scores.

Although the internal predictive power of a previously published mapping equation was high, its external validity when tested on a set of unrelated external data sets in other cancers proved to underestimate both the mean and variance of the mapped EQ-5D utilities. Furthermore, it appears that the relationship between QLQ-C30 scores and EQ-5D values is not stable across the different data sets.

Validation of the proposed algorithm in other external clinical data sets should be encouraged as well as the application of other more complex mapping methods to enhance accuracy of mapping. In the meanwhile, direct mapping from QLQ-C30 profiles to EQ-5D utilities using published algorithms should be performed with reservations.”
“Rotaviral gastroenteritis is a serious public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Selleck Bindarit The disease is ubiquitous, affecting nearly

all children by the age of 5 years. It is the most common cause of hospitalizations for gastroenteritis among children in the United States (30%-70% depending on the season) and is associated with direct and indirect costs of approximately $1 billion per year. Symptoms of rotaviral gastroenteritis are nonspecific (ie,

diarrhea, vomiting, and fever), with disease severity varying considerably. Diagnostic confirmation of rotaviral gastroenteritis requires laboratory tests (most commonly enzyme immunoassay or latex agglutination); however, because specific diagnosis is costly and does not affect PS-341 in vitro treatment, laboratory tests are generally not performed. Because no antiviral therapies are currently available, treatment of rotavirus infection is supportive and primarily aimed at the replacement of fluid and electrolyte losses. Based on the observations that improved sanitation does not decrease disease prevalence and that hospitalizations remain high despite the availability and use of oral rehydrating solutions, the primary public health intervention for rotavirus infection is vaccination. Current vaccines (ie, RotaTeq, Merck and Company; Rotarix, GlaxoSmithKline) are effective for reducing rotaviral gastroenteritis (particularly severe disease), emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Rotavirus vaccination is now included as part of the routine vaccination schedule for all infants in the United States.