Class of 2008 Abstract / Objectives: To examine the utilization of the various laboratory tests in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia and determine the proportion of patients receiving unnecessary iron supplementation. Methods: Included in the descriptive study were 126 adult patients with a diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia determined by ICD9 codes at the University Medical Center (UMC) in Tucson, AZ. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected by chart review and analyzed by calculating means, standard deviation, and range for patient’s age, iron dose, and lab values. The study also examined the percentage of each lab value (serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, and/or hemoglobin/hematocrit) used to diagnosis iron deficiency anemia and the percentage of patients found below common references ranges for each serum iron laboratory test were calculated. Results: The average age of the iron deficiency patient was 55 with an average daily elemental iron dose of 108.1 mg with a standard deviation of 50.0. The majority of the laboratory tests were utilized over 50% of the time, with the exception of transferrin (49.6%), transferrin saturation (44.8%), and ferritin (46.4%). The laboratory test with results below the reference range the least percentage of the time was ferritin at 13.8%. The hematocrit (95.1%), hemoglobin (93.6%), serum iron (92.6%), and transferrin saturation (91.1 %) were below the reference range in a high proportion of the patients. Conclusions: It appears that physicians in a hospital setting are not obtaining or utilizing the correct iron laboratory tests in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, resulting in unnecessary iron supplementation.

Class of 2010 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project was to analyze the accuracy of season two, episodes 13-­‐24 of the popular medical drama, House, MD. METHODS: This study was a descriptive retrospective analysis of the second half of season two of House, MD. The accuracy of the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment in each episode was rated on a scale of one to four. A rating of one described a correct and usual representation. A rating of two described a correct but somewhat unusual representation. A rating of three described a correct but extremely unusual representation. A rating of four described an incorrect representation. Each researcher independently rated the episodes, and then a collaborative rating was agreed upon by all researchers. RESULTS: Results of the ANOVA test demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the three dependent variables (p=0.003). The Tukey post-­‐hoc test confirmed a significant difference between the accuracy of treatment when compared with signs and symptoms (p=0.003), and with diagnosis (p=0.022). The average rating for the treatment variable was 1.50 (±0.707), whereas the average ratings for the signs and symptoms and diagnosis variables were 2.80 (±0.919) and 2.50 (±0.707), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The treatments presented in the last twelve episodes of season two of House, MD were more accurate than both the presenting signs and symptoms and the diagnosis.

Class of 2009 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to quantify the magnitude of factual inaccuracies in the first twelve episodes of the second season of the medical drama, House, MD. METHODS: This study was a descriptive retrospective evaluation of the first twelve episodes in the second season of the popular television show, House, MD. The degree of accuracy of the signs and symptoms (presentation), diagnosis, and treatment for the one major disease portrayed in each show was rated on a scale of one to four. Each researcher evaluated these ratings independently, and after subsequent collaborative discussion, a combined rating was determined for all the data. RESULTS: Both a three-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis data analyses found significance among the data. The Tukey HSD post hoc test revealed a significant difference between the accuracy of signs and symptoms to treatment variables (p = 0.045). Analysis by the Mann-Whitney U test also determined that a significant difference was evident between the accuracy of signs and symptoms when compared with treatment (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The treatments presented in the twelve episodes evaluated were determined to be more accurate than the show's description of the patient's presenting signs and symptoms.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento de cirurgiões dentistas inscritos em cursos de estética quanto aos fatores predisponentes e de diagnóstico do câncer bucal, a partir de um questionário previamente testado. O desenvolvimento de materiais e técnicas odontológicas e o anseio cada vez maior do ser humano em busca da beleza têm levado um número crescente de pacientes aos consultórios odontológicos. Julgamos este momento oportuno para informar a população e diagnosticar precocemente o câncer de boca. Com relação às características gerais dos 465 participantes, houve predominância de uma população jovem, com idade inferior a 39 anos, maior participação feminina e quase 1/3 formados de 10 a 20 anos. As características clínicas da ocorrência desta neoplasia não estão claras para os entrevistados, uma vez que somente metade indicou o carcinoma espinocelular como o tipo mais comum, e aproximadamente metade tem conhecimento das características do linfonodo em metástase cervical. Cerca de 20% desconhece a região da boca e a faixa etária de maior ocorrência deste tumor, e também o seu aspecto inicial. Entretanto, 75,7% reconhecem a leucoplasia como a condição mais comumente associada ao câncer bucal. Com relação aos fatores de risco, o consumo de tabaco, história familiar e consumo de álcool estão claros para quase todos os participantes, mas, em se tratando das demais condições apresentadas como fatores de risco, as dúvidas e contradições estão evidentes. Na prática clínica relacionada ao câncer de boca, observa-se que 14,2% não realizam exames para identificar lesões bucais, sendo que, destes, 80,3% não sabem como fazê-lo. Apenas 5,8% realizam procedimentos de diagnóstico, com a grande maioria considerando regular ou insuficiente seu conhecimento na área. Somente 16,6% têm confiança para realizar o diagnóstico. Mais da metade está há mais de 5 anos sem realizar um curso de atualização em câncer de boca, apesar de terem interesse em faze-lo no futuro. Concluindo, os cirurgiões dentistas ainda não apresentam conhecimento e treinamentos ideais para difundir os meios de prevenção e detecção precoce do câncer de boca. / ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is assessing the knowledge of dentists who are registered at aesthetics courses as for predisposing and diagnosis factors of oral cancer, through a previously tested questionnaire. The development of odontological materials and techniques allied to a longing of a human being who is more and more in search of beauty, has taken an increasing number of patients to odontoligical consultation rooms. We consider this an opportune moment to inform the population and to do the early diagnosis of oral cancer. On what concerns the general characteristics of the 465 participants, there was a predominance of a young population, whose age was under 39 years, more female participation and almost 1/3 who had been graduated for 10 to 20 years. The clinical characteristics of this neoplasia occurrence are not clear for the persons interviewed, since only half of them have indicated the spinocellular carcinoma as the most common one and approximately half of them are aware of the lymph node characteristics in cervical metastasis. Around 20%, ignores the region of the mouth and the age group where this tumor occurs more frequently, and also its initial aspect. Notwithstanding, 75,7% recognizes the leucoplasia as the condition more frequently associated with oral cancer. On what concerns risk factors, the use of tobacco, family history and alcohol intake are clear for almost all the participants, but on what refers to the other conditions presented as risk factors, the doubts and contradictions are evident. On the clinical practice related to oral cancer, it is observed that 14,2% don’t do examinations for identifying buccal lesions, and among these ones, 80,3% don’t know how to do it. Only 5,8% does diagnosis procedures, and the great majority considers their knowledge in the area, regular or insufficient. Only 16,6% has enough confidence to do the diagnosis. In spite of being interested in doing courses in the future, more than half of them have not taken any upgrading course on oral cancer for more than 5 years. Concluding, the dentists still don’t present ideal knowledge and training to diffuse the means for prevention and early detection of mouth cancer.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento de cirurgiões dentistas inscritos em cursos de estética quanto aos fatores predisponentes e de diagnóstico do câncer bucal, a partir de um questionário previamente testado. O desenvolvimento de materiais e técnicas odontológicas e o anseio cada vez maior do ser humano em busca da beleza têm levado um número crescente de pacientes aos consultórios odontológicos. Julgamos este momento oportuno para informar a população e diagnosticar precocemente o câncer de boca. Com relação às características gerais dos 465 participantes, houve predominância de uma população jovem, com idade inferior a 39 anos, maior participação feminina e quase 1/3 formados de 10 a 20 anos. As características clínicas da ocorrência desta neoplasia não estão claras para os entrevistados, uma vez que somente metade indicou o carcinoma espinocelular como o tipo mais comum, e aproximadamente metade tem conhecimento das características do linfonodo em metástase cervical. Cerca de 20% desconhece a região da boca e a faixa etária de maior ocorrência deste tumor, e também o seu aspecto inicial. Entretanto, 75,7% reconhecem a leucoplasia como a condição mais comumente associada ao câncer bucal. Com relação aos fatores de risco, o consumo de tabaco, história familiar e consumo de álcool estão claros para quase todos os participantes, mas, em se tratando das demais condições apresentadas como fatores de risco, as dúvidas e contradições estão evidentes. Na prática clínica relacionada ao câncer de boca, observa-se que 14,2% não realizam exames para identificar lesões bucais, sendo que, destes, 80,3% não sabem como fazê-lo. Apenas 5,8% realizam procedimentos de diagnóstico, com a grande maioria considerando regular ou insuficiente seu conhecimento na área. Somente 16,6% têm confiança para realizar o diagnóstico. Mais da metade está há mais de 5 anos sem realizar um curso de atualização em câncer de boca, apesar de terem interesse em faze-lo no futuro. Concluindo, os cirurgiões dentistas ainda não apresentam conhecimento e treinamentos ideais para difundir os meios de prevenção e detecção precoce do câncer de boca. / ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is assessing the knowledge of dentists who are registered at aesthetics courses as for predisposing and diagnosis factors of oral cancer, through a previously tested questionnaire. The development of odontological materials and techniques allied to a longing of a human being who is more and more in search of beauty, has taken an increasing number of patients to odontoligical consultation rooms. We consider this an opportune moment to inform the population and to do the early diagnosis of oral cancer. On what concerns the general characteristics of the 465 participants, there was a predominance of a young population, whose age was under 39 years, more female participation and almost 1/3 who had been graduated for 10 to 20 years. The clinical characteristics of this neoplasia occurrence are not clear for the persons interviewed, since only half of them have indicated the spinocellular carcinoma as the most common one and approximately half of them are aware of the lymph node characteristics in cervical metastasis. Around 20%, ignores the region of the mouth and the age group where this tumor occurs more frequently, and also its initial aspect. Notwithstanding, 75,7% recognizes the leucoplasia as the condition more frequently associated with oral cancer. On what concerns risk factors, the use of tobacco, family history and alcohol intake are clear for almost all the participants, but on what refers to the other conditions presented as risk factors, the doubts and contradictions are evident. On the clinical practice related to oral cancer, it is observed that 14,2% don’t do examinations for identifying buccal lesions, and among these ones, 80,3% don’t know how to do it. Only 5,8% does diagnosis procedures, and the great majority considers their knowledge in the area, regular or insufficient. Only 16,6% has enough confidence to do the diagnosis. In spite of being interested in doing courses in the future, more than half of them have not taken any upgrading course on oral cancer for more than 5 years. Concluding, the dentists still don’t present ideal knowledge and training to diffuse the means for prevention and early detection of mouth cancer.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: This study was performed to assess the accuracy of the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatments depicted in episodes one through twelve of the fifth season of House, MD. Methods: This study was a descriptive, retrospective evaluation of the accuracy of the first twelve episodes of the fifth season of House, MD. Dependent variables in this study were presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of the final diagnosis for the primary patient case. A rating of one to four was assigned to each variable, with one being most accurate and four being inaccurate. Statistical analysis consisted of ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc test Main Results: The signs and symptoms had a mean of 2.42 ± 0.669 (95% CI 1.99 to 2.84). The diagnostic tests had a mean of 2.42 ± 1.084 (95% CI 1.73 to 3.11). The treatment had a mean of 1.42 ± 0.9 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.99). ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference among the accuracy ratings of the groups (p = 0.013). Tukey HSD did not show a significant difference between the accuracy of the signs and symptoms and diagnostic tests (p = 1). The test did reveal a statistically significant difference between accuracy of treatment and both the signs and symptoms (p = 0.027) and diagnostic tests (p = 0.027). Conclusions: The treatments shown in House, MD, season five, episodes one through twelve are significantly more accurate than both the diagnostic tests and the presenting signs and symptoms.

Class of 2011 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the degree of accuracy of the information relevant to signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures used to establish the final diagnosis, and appropriateness of treatment for the last 12 episodes of the 3rd season of the television show, House, MD. METHODS: Twelve episodes were reviewed by three evaluators and the patient’s signs and symptoms, the diagnostic procedures used, and the treatment of the final diagnosis for each episode were recorded and rated based on accuracy. After each evaluator had rated each variable in each episode independently, the ratings were compared and a final rating for each variable was determined. RESULTS: The overall mean rating for signs and symptoms was 2.46. The overall mean rating for diagnostic procedures was 2.38. The overall mean rating for treatment was 1.77. All of these ratings would correlate to a correct, but somewhat unusual presentation. The ANOVA analysis found no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.078). CONCLUSION: The signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatments in the episodes of the second half of season three of House, MD were all portrayed in a manner that was accurate, but with a somewhat unusual presentation.

Class of 2011 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of the presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of the main disease in each of the first twelve episodes of the third season of the medical drama House, MD. METHODS: The study is a descriptive retrospective evaluation of the first twelve episodes of season three of the medical drama House, MD. The accuracy of the clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment in each episode was rated on a scale of one to four. A rating of one described a correct and usual representation. A rating of two described a correct but somewhat unusual representation. A rating of three described a correct but extremely unusual representation. A rating of four described an incorrect representation. Each of three researchers independently rated the episodes, and then the researchers agreed upon a collaborative rating for each category. RESULTS: Results of the ANOVA test did not show statistical significance between the three dependent variables (p = 0.25). Additionally, a Tukey HSD post-hoc test did not reveal a statistical significant difference between the ratings for the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. CONCLUSION: In the first twelve episodes of season three of House, MD, there was no difference between the accuracy of the treatment and diagnosis when compared to the signs and symptoms of each episode.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: To assess the accuracy of the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatments presented in the last twelve episodes of season five of the popular medical drama, House, MD. Methods: A descriptive retrospective evaluation of the accuracy and inaccuracies of episodes 13 to 24 in season five of the television series House, MD. The accuracy of the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment in each episode was rated on a scale of one to four. A rating of one described a correct and usual representation. A rating of two described a correct but somewhat unusual representation. A rating of three described a correct but extremely unusual representation. A rating of four described an incorrect representation. Each researcher independently rated the episodes, and then a collaborative rating was agreed upon by both researchers. Main Results: Results of the ANOVA test demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the three dependent variables (p=0.002). The Tukey HSD post-hoc test confirmed a significant difference between the accuracy of treatment when compared with signs and symptoms (p=0.012), and with diagnostic procedures (p=0.002). The average rating for the treatment variable was 1.58 (±0.9), whereas the average ratings for the signs and symptoms and diagnosis variables were 2.75 (± 0.754), and 3 (±1.128), respectively. Conclusions: The treatments presented in the last twelve episode of season five of House, MD were more accurate than both the presenting signs and symptoms and the diagnosis.

The Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB) was published in 1980 as an attempt to provide clinicians with a standardized version of the neuropsychological assessment and diagnostic procedures proposed by A. R. Luria and A, L. Christensen. Research on the LNNB included a series of factor analyses for each of eleven clinical scales. The analyses were completed on the combined scores obtained from a sample of normal, brain-damaged, and psychiatric populations. A second version of the LNNB was published in 1985 as a largely parallel version of Form I, but included changes in stimulus materials, administration procedures, and scoring procedures. The present study completed factor analyses on same eleven clinical scales using data generated with the newer LNNB Form II. The statistical procedures and criteria employed in the present investigation were identical to those used earlier on Form I to allow for comparisons between the two resulting sets of factor structures. The patient populations were different, however, in that all subjects in the current study were receiving inpatient care in a private psychiatric hospital which specializes in long-term treatment. Despite the changes in materials and procedures and the difference in subject parameters, the factors identified in the present investigation are similar to those seen in the Form I studies. However, two trends were observed when comparing the two sets of factor structures. First, in the present study several items were excluded from the statistical procedures because they were performed perfectly by almost everyone and the resulting scores lacked statistical variance. Second, more homogenous factors were obtained with the Form II analysis. That is, some of the complex LNNB Form I factors were reduced to two or more simpler factors. The results of the study lend support to Luna's conceptual model of higher cortical function and to the reliability of the LNNB as an assessment instrument.