Este trabalho teve o objetivo de analisar o registro dos prontuários hospitalares como subsídio para a gestão em saúde. Foram analisados 430 prontuários de egressos de 2 hospitais públicos municipais de São Paulo internados em abril de 2010. Os resultados mostraram que os registros dos hospitais foram diferentes na maioria das variáveis estudadas, motivo pelo qual foram tratados separadamente. Observou-se que as variáveis sexo, idade, número de diagnósticos, motivo da saída, tempo de permanência e número de cuidados foram totalmente registradas. Enquanto que as variáveis pressão arterial, freqüência cardíaca, freqüência respiratória, temperatura, dor, alimentação, banho e locomoção foram parcialmente registradas. Analisando as variáveis totalmente registradas verificou-se que no Hospital A e B, respectivamente, adultos de 30 a 59 anos (35.9%, 42.3%), idosos com 60 anos ou mais (22.8%, 16.3%) e crianças menores de 4 anos (20.1%, 17.2%) foram os que mais demandaram internações. Da mesma forma, crianças (4 a 5 dias, 4 a 6 dias) e idosos (2 a 6 dias, 4 a 6 dias) necessitaram de maior tempo de permanência. No Hospital A, as doenças do aparelho respiratório (20.5%) foram as principais responsáveis pelas internações, seguidas pelos transtornos mentais e comportamentais (14.4%). Enquanto que, no Hospital B, as doenças do aparelho respiratório (15.4%) foram as principais responsáveis pelas internações, seguidas pelas doenças do aparelho circulatório (13.5%). No Hospital A e B, respectivamente, os cuidados básicos foram mais freqüentemente registrados na saída (n=278, n=315) em comparação à admissão (n=271, n=234), enquanto que os cuidados invasivos foram mais freqüentemente registrados na admissão (n=505, n=618), em comparação à saída (n=201, n=208). Analisando a presença do registro parcial das variáveis, houve ocorrência no Hospital A na admissão e saída, respectivamente, em: pressão arterial (73.5%, 73.5%), freqüência cardíaca (72.1%, 71.6%), freqüência respiratória (39.1%, 29.3%), temperatura (89.3%, 80.5%), dor (12.6%, 11.2%), alimentação (92.6%, 95.3%), banho (91.6%, 94.4%) e locomoção (94.9%, 95.8%). Enquanto que, no Hospital B, houve presença de registro parcial na admissão e saída, respectivamente, em: pressão arterial (80%, 73.5%), freqüência cardíaca (80.5%, 73%), freqüência respiratória (21.4%, 12.1%), temperatura (96.7%, 89.8%), dor (1.4%, 0.5%), alimentação (100%, 99.5%), banho (99.1%, 99.1%) e locomoção (99.5%, 99.1%). A associação entre as variáveis indicativas: tempo de permanência e número de cuidados na admissão e na saída com as demais variáveis, mostrou que, quanto maior o tempo de permanência e o número de cuidados na admissão e saída, maior a idade, o número de diagnósticos e o comprometimento clínico e funcional. / This work aims to set the basis for a health management by analyzing the key informations of 430 medical records, which were taken from two public hospitals in the city of São Paulo, in April 2010.The research showed that the records were different in both hospitals in most of the variables studied. Consequently, they had to be analysed distinctively. It was observed that, while the variables: gender, age, diagnosis, hospital discharge reasons, lengh of stay and medical cares were entirely recorded, variables like blood pressure, cardiac and breathing frequency, body temperature, pain, food, bath and locomotion were partially recorded. Considering the variables entirely recorded, it was verified that in the hospitals A and B, respectively, the most medical admission requirements were for adults between 30-59 years of age (35.9%, 42.3%), elderly aged 60 or older (22.8%, 16.3%) and children under 4 years old (20.1%, 17.2%). On the same way, children (4 a 5 days, 4 a 6 days) and elderly (2 a 6 days, 4 a 6 days) had longer lenght of stay. In hospital A respiratory system diseases (20.5%) were the leading cause of medical admissions followed by mental and behavioral disorders (14.4%), compared to hospital B, respiratory system diseases (15.4%) followed by circulatory system illnesses(13.5%). In both cases A and B, respectively, the basic care were more frequent on the hospital discharge (n=278, n=315) if compaired to admissions (n=271, n=234), while invasive care were more frequent in the admissions (n=505, n=618) if compaired to hospital discharge (n=201, n=208). Upong analyzing the presence of the variables partial record, it has occurred in hospital A at the time of admissions and medical discharges, respectively,: blood pressure (73.5%, 73.5%), cardiac frequency (72.1%, 71.6%), breathing frequency(39.1%, 29.3%), body temperature (89.3%, 80.5%), pain (12.6%, 11.2%), food (92.6%, 95.3%), bath (91.6%, 94.4%) and locomotion (94.9%, 95.8%), while in the the hospital B, it has occurred respectively;: blood pressure (80%, 73.5%), cardiac frequency (80.5%, 73%), breathing frequency (21.4%, 12.1%), body temperature (96.7%, 89.8%), pain (1.4%, 0.5%), food (100%, 99.5%), bath (99.1%, 99.1%) and locomotion (99.5%, 99.1%). The association between the variables: lenght of stay and number of cares at the time of hospital admissions and discharges with the other parameters, showed that the longer the length of stay and the greater the number of cares in admissions and discharges, the older are the inpatients and the greater are the number of diagnosis and the clinical and functional impairements.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar aspectos clínicos de pacientes portadores de fibromialgia cujo início dos sintomas estivessem relacionados a eventos traumáticos e pacientes idiopáticos. Foram avaliados 135 pacientes por meio de um questionário estruturado sobre dados demográficos e situação de produtividade laboral, caracterização da dor e presença de queixas não relacionadas ao aparelho locomotor. Foi realizada contagem e dolorimetria de pressão dos pontos dolorosos e avaliação da dor segundo a escala visual analógica. O grupo de pacientes traumáticos conteve 48 pessoas apresentou maior período médio de escolaridade (8,1 &#177; 4,1 x 5,3 &#177; 2,9; p<0,001), maior contagem de pontos dolorosos (16,1 &#177; 2,8 x 15,0 &#177; 3,2; p = 0,047), menor período desde a generalização da dor (5,6 &#117; 6,9 x 4,1 &#177; 2,6 anos; p = 0,002) e maiores prevalências de dificuldade de concentração (83,0% x 65,1%; p = 0,048) e cólicas intestinais (45,8% x 26,4%; p = 0,036). Houve associação entre o trauma e a improdutividade econômica. Os demais aspetos clínicos não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante. Conclui-se que a etiologia traumática impõe poucas diferenças clínicas aos pacientes portadores de fibromialgia e não explicam o grau de incapacidade laboral que se observa. / The aim of this work was to compare clinical aspects of fibromyalgia patients whose onset was related to traumatic events to idiopathic patients. One hundred and thirty fice consecutive patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire about demographic aspects, work disability, pain characterization and the presence of symptoms not related to the locomotor system. Tender point count and dolorimetry were performed, as well as pain evaluation according to the visual analogue scale. The group of traumatic patients counted with 48 individuals, and presented with longer period of formal education (8,1 &#117; 4,1 x 5,3 &#117; 2,9 years; p < 0,001), higher count of tender points (16,1 &#117; 2,8 x &#117; 3,2; p = 0,047), shorter period since generalization of pain (5,6 &#117; 6,9 x 4,1 &#117; 2,6 years; p = 0,002), smaller prevalences of concentration difficulties (83,0% x 65,1%; p = 0,048) and abdominal cramps(45,8% x 26,4%; p = 0,036). There was an association between trauma and work disability. Any of remaining clinical aspects presented with statistically significant differences. We conclude that trauma imposes few clinical differences to fibromyalgia patients and does not explain the degree of work disability which is observed among them.

This study estimates the association between dietary factors and spontaneous pancreatitis in dogs. A case-control study was conducted using 198 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis and 187 control dogs with a diagnosis of renal failure without clinical evidence of pancreatitis. Information on signalment, weight, body condition, dietary intake, medical history, diagnostic tests performed, concurrent diseases, treatment, length of hospital stay, and discharge status was extracted from medical records for dogs admitted to the Texas A&M University Small Animal Clinic (TAMU SAC) during January 2000 to December 2005. Information on dietary intake, signalment, weight, medical, surgical and environmental history was collected for the same dogs through a telephone questionnaire conducted from November 2006 through January 2007. Descriptive statistics were calculated, tabular analyses performed, and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Based on information extracted from the medical records, ingesting unusual food (OR=4.3; CI=1.7 to 10.7), ingesting table food (OR=1.5; CI=1.0 to 2.2), or exposure to both of these dietary factors (OR=2.1; CI=1.3 to 3.2) increased the odds of pancreatitis. Collected through the telephone questionnaire, ingesting unusual food (OR=6.1; CI=2.2 to 16.5), ingesting table scraps the week before diagnosis (OR=2.2; CI=1.2 to 3.8) or regularly throughout life (OR=2.2; CI=1.2 to 4.0), and getting into the trash (OR=13.2; CI=2.1 to undefined) increased the odds of pancreatitis. Multivariable modeling estimated the associations of exposure to one or more dietary factors reported through the telephone questionnaire (OR=2.6; CI=1.4 to 5.0), overweight (OR=1.3; CI=0.7 to 2.5), year of diagnosis (OR=3.5; CI=1.9 to 6.5), neuter status (OR=3.6; CI=1.4 to 9.5), non-neuter surgery (OR=21.1; CI=3.3 to 133.9) and an interaction term between neuter status and non-neuter surgery (OR=0.1; CI=0.01 to 0.4). Dietary factors increase the odds of spontaneous pancreatitis in dogs.

This study estimates the association between dietary factors and spontaneous pancreatitis in dogs. A case-control study was conducted using 198 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis and 187 control dogs with a diagnosis of renal failure without clinical evidence of pancreatitis. Information on signalment, weight, body condition, dietary intake, medical history, diagnostic tests performed, concurrent diseases, treatment, length of hospital stay, and discharge status was extracted from medical records for dogs admitted to the Texas A&M University Small Animal Clinic (TAMU SAC) during January 2000 to December 2005. Information on dietary intake, signalment, weight, medical, surgical and environmental history was collected for the same dogs through a telephone questionnaire conducted from November 2006 through January 2007. Descriptive statistics were calculated, tabular analyses performed, and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Based on information extracted from the medical records, ingesting unusual food (OR=4.3; CI=1.7 to 10.7), ingesting table food (OR=1.5; CI=1.0 to 2.2), or exposure to both of these dietary factors (OR=2.1; CI=1.3 to 3.2) increased the odds of pancreatitis. Collected through the telephone questionnaire, ingesting unusual food (OR=6.1; CI=2.2 to 16.5), ingesting table scraps the week before diagnosis (OR=2.2; CI=1.2 to 3.8) or regularly throughout life (OR=2.2; CI=1.2 to 4.0), and getting into the trash (OR=13.2; CI=2.1 to undefined) increased the odds of pancreatitis. Multivariable modeling estimated the associations of exposure to one or more dietary factors reported through the telephone questionnaire (OR=2.6; CI=1.4 to 5.0), overweight (OR=1.3; CI=0.7 to 2.5), year of diagnosis (OR=3.5; CI=1.9 to 6.5), neuter status (OR=3.6; CI=1.4 to 9.5), non-neuter surgery (OR=21.1; CI=3.3 to 133.9) and an interaction term between neuter status and non-neuter surgery (OR=0.1; CI=0.01 to 0.4). Dietary factors increase the odds of spontaneous pancreatitis in dogs.

Dans l’espoir d'améliorer l'efficacité, l’efficience, la qualité et la sécurité des soins de santé, la plupart des pays investissent dans l’informatisation de leur système de santé. Malgré l’octroi de ressources substantielles, les projets d'implantation d’un Dossier médical électronique (DME) font parfois l’objet d’une résistance importante de la part des utilisateurs au moment de leur implantation sur le terrain. Pour expliquer l’adoption d’un DME par les professionnels de la santé, plusieurs modèles théoriques ont été développés et appliqués. Une diversité de facteurs agissant à différents niveaux (individuel, organisationnel et liés à la technologie elle-même) a ainsi été identifiée. L’objectif de cette recherche est d’approfondir les connaissances empiriques quant aux facteurs influençant l’utilisation du DME chez les professionnels de la santé. Le devis de recherche repose sur une étude de cas unique avec douze entrevues et une observation non participante réalisées un an suite au lancement du processus d’implantation d’un DME auprès d’un groupe de médecine famille (GMF) au sein du Centre de santé et de services sociaux du Sud-Ouest-Verdun (Montréal, Canada). Dans le cadre de cette étude, l’analyse a permis l’identification de facilitateurs et de barrières influençant l’adoption du DME. Les facilitateurs étaient l’utilité perçue, la décision du GMF d’implanter le DME, le support de la direction ainsi que la présence de champions et de superutilisateurs. Les barrières les plus importantes étaient l’impact négatif sur le travail clinique, la fragmentation de l’information dans le DME ainsi que les problèmes liés à l’infrastructure technique. Cette connaissance permettra d’alimenter des stratégies visant à mieux répondre aux défis suscités par l’implantation du dossier médical électronique. / With the hope of improving the efficiency, effectiveness, quality, and safety of health care, most countries have made or are making investments to computerize their health systems. Despite the allocation of huge resources, the implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) has experienced significant resistance by end-users. Several theoretical models have been used to explain the adoption of an EMR by health care professionals, and a variety of factors acting on different levels have been identified: individual, organizational and related to the technology itself. The objective of this research is to deepen the level of knowledge about the factors influencing the adoption of EMRs by health professionals. This research is a single case study with nine interviews and one non-participant observation during the one-year period following the completion of the EMR-KinLogix implementation process in the Family Physician Group that is a part of the Health and Social Service Center Southwest Verdun (Montreal, Canada). The analysis identified facilitators and barriers to adoption. Facilitators were perceived usefulness, the decision of the family physician group to implement the EMR, managerial support, and the presence of champions and super users. The most important barriers were negative impact on clinical work, the fragmentation of information in the EMR and the problems of technical infrastructure. This knowledge will contribute to the challenge of outlining strategies for successful implementation of electronic medical records.

No description available.

The purpose of the study was to describe the effects of an EMR on patient management in selected HIV clinics in Johannesburg. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken in four HIV clinics in Johannesburg. The subjects (N=44) were the healthcare workers selected by stratified random sampling. Consent was requested from each subject and from the clinics in Johannesburg. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Median age of subjects was 36, 82% were female. 86% had tertiary qualifications. 55% were clinicians. 52% had 2-3 years work experience. 80% had computer experience, 86% had over one year EMR experience. 90% used the EMR daily, 93% preferred EMR to paper. 93% had EMR training, 17% used EMR to capture clinical data. 87% perceived EMR to have more benefits; most felt doctor-patient relationship was not interfered with. 89% were satisfied with the EMR’s overall performance. The effects of EMR benefit HIV patient management. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)

The purpose of this study is to investigate the right to confidentiality in the context of HIV/AIDS through an interdisciplinary lens. This study indicates that whilst confidentiality is important and should be preserved in order to protect persons living with HIV/AIDS against stigmatisation, discrimination and victimisation, this should be balanced by other equally important interests, such as the protection of public health and individual third parties who may be affected by the intentional or negligent infection of others with HIV. As the consideration of the legal issues relating to confidentiality and privacy cannot be divorced from the social context in which HIV/AIDS plays out in South African communities, the study will examine, amongst others, the victimisation, discrimination and stigmatisation experienced by persons living with HIV/AIDS, followed by a critical exploration of the present legal and ethical framework governing privacy and confidentiality, including medical confidentiality, as well as the duty to disclose a positive HIV-status, in the context of HIV/AIDS. Possible limitations on the right to privacy in this context are also examined, which include, amongst others, a consideration of making HIV/AIDS notifiable diseases in South Africa. The study suggests that it is imperative that legal interventions aimed at curbing the spread of HIV will need to be mindful of the unique social, cultural and economic forces that impact on the duty to disclose a positive HIV-status to partners and other affected third parties. Insights gained from philosophical theories relating to Africanism, individualism, communitarianism and utilitarianism are valuable tools in facilitating a clearer understanding of relevant social and cultural factors that keep South African society locked in the present stalemate with regard to the disclosure of HIV status. / Public, Constitutional, and International law / LLD

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de analisar o registro dos prontuários hospitalares como subsídio para a gestão em saúde. Foram analisados 430 prontuários de egressos de 2 hospitais públicos municipais de São Paulo internados em abril de 2010. Os resultados mostraram que os registros dos hospitais foram diferentes na maioria das variáveis estudadas, motivo pelo qual foram tratados separadamente. Observou-se que as variáveis sexo, idade, número de diagnósticos, motivo da saída, tempo de permanência e número de cuidados foram totalmente registradas. Enquanto que as variáveis pressão arterial, freqüência cardíaca, freqüência respiratória, temperatura, dor, alimentação, banho e locomoção foram parcialmente registradas. Analisando as variáveis totalmente registradas verificou-se que no Hospital A e B, respectivamente, adultos de 30 a 59 anos (35.9%, 42.3%), idosos com 60 anos ou mais (22.8%, 16.3%) e crianças menores de 4 anos (20.1%, 17.2%) foram os que mais demandaram internações. Da mesma forma, crianças (4 a 5 dias, 4 a 6 dias) e idosos (2 a 6 dias, 4 a 6 dias) necessitaram de maior tempo de permanência. No Hospital A, as doenças do aparelho respiratório (20.5%) foram as principais responsáveis pelas internações, seguidas pelos transtornos mentais e comportamentais (14.4%). Enquanto que, no Hospital B, as doenças do aparelho respiratório (15.4%) foram as principais responsáveis pelas internações, seguidas pelas doenças do aparelho circulatório (13.5%). No Hospital A e B, respectivamente, os cuidados básicos foram mais freqüentemente registrados na saída (n=278, n=315) em comparação à admissão (n=271, n=234), enquanto que os cuidados invasivos foram mais freqüentemente registrados na admissão (n=505, n=618), em comparação à saída (n=201, n=208). Analisando a presença do registro parcial das variáveis, houve ocorrência no Hospital A na admissão e saída, respectivamente, em: pressão arterial (73.5%, 73.5%), freqüência cardíaca (72.1%, 71.6%), freqüência respiratória (39.1%, 29.3%), temperatura (89.3%, 80.5%), dor (12.6%, 11.2%), alimentação (92.6%, 95.3%), banho (91.6%, 94.4%) e locomoção (94.9%, 95.8%). Enquanto que, no Hospital B, houve presença de registro parcial na admissão e saída, respectivamente, em: pressão arterial (80%, 73.5%), freqüência cardíaca (80.5%, 73%), freqüência respiratória (21.4%, 12.1%), temperatura (96.7%, 89.8%), dor (1.4%, 0.5%), alimentação (100%, 99.5%), banho (99.1%, 99.1%) e locomoção (99.5%, 99.1%). A associação entre as variáveis indicativas: tempo de permanência e número de cuidados na admissão e na saída com as demais variáveis, mostrou que, quanto maior o tempo de permanência e o número de cuidados na admissão e saída, maior a idade, o número de diagnósticos e o comprometimento clínico e funcional. / This work aims to set the basis for a health management by analyzing the key informations of 430 medical records, which were taken from two public hospitals in the city of São Paulo, in April 2010.The research showed that the records were different in both hospitals in most of the variables studied. Consequently, they had to be analysed distinctively. It was observed that, while the variables: gender, age, diagnosis, hospital discharge reasons, lengh of stay and medical cares were entirely recorded, variables like blood pressure, cardiac and breathing frequency, body temperature, pain, food, bath and locomotion were partially recorded. Considering the variables entirely recorded, it was verified that in the hospitals A and B, respectively, the most medical admission requirements were for adults between 30-59 years of age (35.9%, 42.3%), elderly aged 60 or older (22.8%, 16.3%) and children under 4 years old (20.1%, 17.2%). On the same way, children (4 a 5 days, 4 a 6 days) and elderly (2 a 6 days, 4 a 6 days) had longer lenght of stay. In hospital A respiratory system diseases (20.5%) were the leading cause of medical admissions followed by mental and behavioral disorders (14.4%), compared to hospital B, respiratory system diseases (15.4%) followed by circulatory system illnesses(13.5%). In both cases A and B, respectively, the basic care were more frequent on the hospital discharge (n=278, n=315) if compaired to admissions (n=271, n=234), while invasive care were more frequent in the admissions (n=505, n=618) if compaired to hospital discharge (n=201, n=208). Upong analyzing the presence of the variables partial record, it has occurred in hospital A at the time of admissions and medical discharges, respectively,: blood pressure (73.5%, 73.5%), cardiac frequency (72.1%, 71.6%), breathing frequency(39.1%, 29.3%), body temperature (89.3%, 80.5%), pain (12.6%, 11.2%), food (92.6%, 95.3%), bath (91.6%, 94.4%) and locomotion (94.9%, 95.8%), while in the the hospital B, it has occurred respectively;: blood pressure (80%, 73.5%), cardiac frequency (80.5%, 73%), breathing frequency (21.4%, 12.1%), body temperature (96.7%, 89.8%), pain (1.4%, 0.5%), food (100%, 99.5%), bath (99.1%, 99.1%) and locomotion (99.5%, 99.1%). The association between the variables: lenght of stay and number of cares at the time of hospital admissions and discharges with the other parameters, showed that the longer the length of stay and the greater the number of cares in admissions and discharges, the older are the inpatients and the greater are the number of diagnosis and the clinical and functional impairements.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium of epidemiologic importance in Canadian healthcare facilities. The contact between MRSA colonized or infected patients with other patients, healthcare workers (HCWs) and/or the healthcare environment can result in MRSA transmission and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) infections in hospitals. These HA-MRSA infections are linked with increased length of hospital stay, economic burden, morbidity and mortality. Although infection prevention and control programs initiated in 2009 in Canada and other developed countries (e.g., UK, France, Belgium, Denmark, etc.) have been relatively successful in reducing the rate of HA-MRSA infections, they continue to pose a threat to patients, especially to the more vulnerable in long term care and geriatric institutions. Historically, MRSA was a problem mainly in hospital settings but after mid-1990s new strains of MRSA have been identified among people without healthcare-related risks and have been classified as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Furthermore, the distinction between HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA strains is gradually waning due to both the introduction of HA-MRSA in communities, and the emergence of CA-MRSA strains in hospitals. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the feasibility of constructing healthcare networks to evaluate the role of healthcare providers (e.g., physicians) and places (e.g., patient rooms) in the transmission of MRSA in a large tertiary care facility. Method of investigation: a secondary data case-control study, using individual characteristics and network structure measures, conducted at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) between April 1st, 2013 and March 31th, 2014. Results: It was feasible to build social networks in a large tertiary care facility based on electronic medical records data. The networks' size (represented by the number of vertices and lines) increased during the outbreak period (period 1) compared to the pre-outbreak period (period 0) for both groups and at all three TOH campuses. The calculated median degree centrality showed significant increase in value for both study groups during period 1 compared to period 0 for two of the TOH campuses (Civic and General). There was no significant difference between the median degree centrality calculated for each study group at the Heart Institute when compared for the two reference periods. The median degree centrality of the MRSA case group for period 0 showed no significant difference when compared to the same measure determined for the control group for all three TOH campuses. However, the median degree centrality calculated for period 1 was significantly increased for the control group compared to the MRSA case group for two TOH campuses (Civic and General) but showed no significant difference between the two groups from the Heart Institute. In addition, there was a correlation between the two network measures (degree centrality and eigenvector centrality) calculated to determine the most influential person or place in the MRSA case group networks. However, there was no correlation between the two network’s measures calculated for physicians included in MRSA case group networks. Conclusions: It is feasible to use social network analysis as an epidemiologic analysis tool to characterize the MRSA transmission in a hospital setting. The network's visible changes between the groups and reference periods were reflected by the network measures and supported also by known hospital patient movements after the outbreak onset. Furthermore, we were able to identify potential source cases and places just prior of the outbreak start. Unfortunately, we were not able to show the role of healthcare workers in MRSA transmission in a hospital setting due to limitations in data collection and network measure chosen (eigenvector centrality). Further research is required to confirm these study findings.