This analysis supports recent national efforts to include American Indian/Alaska Native race as a group at high risk for complications of influenza with respect to vaccination and antiviral treatment recommendations.
Although an epidemiologic association with raw tomatoes was identified early in this investigation, subsequent epidemiologic and microbiologic evidence implicated jalapeño and serrano peppers. This outbreak highlights the importance of preventing raw-produce contamination.
CA-MRSA is well established in this pediatric population. Although no discernable changes in CA- or HA-MRSA case characteristics were documented during the study period, significant changes were observed in CA-MRSA isolate characteristics, indicating that this pathogen continues to evolve.
IntroductionPopulation-based data are limited on how often colorectal cancer (CRC) is identified through screening or surveillance in asymptomatic patients versus diagnostic workup for symptoms. We developed a process for assessing CRC identification methods among Medicare-linked CRC cases from a population-based cancer registry to assess identification methods (screening/surveillance or diagnostic) among Kansas Medicare beneficiaries.MethodsNew CRC cases diagnosed from 2008 through 2010 were identified from the Kansas Cancer Registry and matched to Medicare enrollment and claims files. CRC cases were classified as diagnostic-identified versus screening/surveillance-identified using a claims-based algorithm for determining CRC test indication. Factors associated with screening/surveillance-identified CRC were analyzed using logistic regression.ResultsNineteen percent of CRC cases among Kansas Medicare beneficiaries were screening/surveillance-identified while 81% were diagnostic-identified. Younger age at diagnosis (65 to 74 years) was the only factor associated with having screening/surveillance-identified CRC in multivariable analysis. No association between rural/urban residence and identification method was noted.ConclusionCombining administrative claims data with population-based registry records can offer novel insights into patterns of CRC test use and identification methods among people diagnosed with CRC. These techniques could also be extended to other screen-detectable cancers.
BackgroundLaboratory testing results are often used to monitor influenza illness in populations, but results may not be representative of illness burden and distribution, especially in populations that are geographically, socioeconomically, and racially/ethnically diverse.ObjectivesDescriptive epidemiology and chi‐square analyses using demographic, geographic, and medical condition prevalence comparisons were employed to assess whether a group of individuals with outpatient laboratory‐confirmed influenza illness during September–November 2009 represented the burden and distribution of influenza illness in New Mexico (NM).Patients/MethodsThe outpatient group was identified via random selection from those with positive influenza tests at NM laboratories. Comparison groups included those with laboratory‐confirmed H1N1‐related influenza hospitalization and death identified via prospective active statewide surveillance, those with self‐reported influenza‐like illness (ILI) identified through random digit dialing, and the NM population.ResultsThis analysis included 334 individuals with outpatient laboratory‐confirmed influenza, 888 individuals with laboratory‐confirmed H1N1‐related hospitalization, 39 individuals with laboratory‐confirmed H1N1‐related death, 334 individuals with ILI, and NM population data (N = 2 036 112). The outpatient laboratory‐confirmed group had a different distribution of demographic and geographic factors, as well as prevalence of certain medical conditions as compared to the groups of laboratory‐confirmed H1N1‐related hospitalization and death, the ILI group, and the NM population.ConclusionsThe outpatient laboratory‐confirmed group may reflect provider testing practices and potentially healthcare‐seeking behavior and access to care, rather than influenza burden and distribution in NM during the H1N1 pandemic.
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