ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of data obtained from a wearable activity tracker (Fitbit Charge HR) to medical research. This was performed by comparing the wearable activity tracker (Fitbit Charge HR) with actigraphy (Actiwatch 2) for sleep evaluation and circadian rest-activity rhythm measurement.MethodsSixteen healthy young adults (female participants, 62.5%; mean age, 22.8 years) wore the Fitbit Charge HR and the Actiwatch 2 on the same wrist; a sleep log was recorded over a 14-day period. We compared the sleep variables and circadian rest-activity rhythm measures with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Spearman's correlations.ResultsThe periods and acrophases of the circadian rest-activity rhythms and the sleep start times did not differ and correlated significantly between the Fitbit Charge HR and the Actiwatch 2. The Fitbit Charge HR tended to overestimate the sleep durations compared with the Actiwatch 2. However, the sleep durations showed high correlation between the two devices for all days.ConclusionWe found that the Fitbit Charge HR showed high accuracy in sleep evaluation and circadian rest-activity rhythm measurement when compared with actigraphy for healthy young adults. The results suggest that the Fitbit Charge HR could be applicable on medical research as an alternative tool to actigraphy for sleep evaluation and measurement of the circadian rest-activity rhythm.
Objective. In Korea, short physician consultation time has been a cause of concern as it compromises the care provided. This study was aimed at finding the actual and optimal consultation time per patient for rheumatology outpatient clinic in Korea. Methods. The surveys were prepared based on a study of the literature and consisted of multiple-choice questions as well as additional open questions. Surveys were conducted from November to February, 2018∼2019. Rheumatologist members of the Korean College of Rheumatology were invited to complete the web-based survey as well as paper survey. Results. The mean duration of consultation allocated to a new and an established patient was found to be 12.3 and 4.8 minutes, respectively, which corresponded to only 22%∼35.3% of perceived optimal consultation time. On the other hand, the intrusion of physician autonomy for optimal patient care by the hospital executive was manifest such that only 4.7% responded discretion in allocating consultation time for patients and that 61.3% replied that they have been restrained from keeping the adequate outpatient clinic volumes. Sixty six percent of respondents replied that insufficient consultation time affects patient safety including errors in prescription. Conclusion. Rheumatology consultation time is very insufficient compared to optimal situation. A drastic change in health care policy promoting good quality of care, such as appropriate compensation which guarantees sufficient consultation time, as well as strong policy to control excessive profit-driven management policy of the hospitals is urgently needed.
We tried to evaluate the added value of positive intraluminal contrast CT over fluoroscopy to detect anastomotic leakage after gastrointestinal surgery. 141 GI surgery patients with both fluoroscopic examinations and CT were included. Two radiologists reviewed fluoroscopic images with/without CT for determining anastomotic leakage on 5-point confidence scale and grading the leakage on 4-point grading system. Duration of hospital stay and type of treatment were recorded. Radiologists’ diagnostic performances for determining leakage were compared using the ROC analysis and inter-observer agreement was analyzed. 53 patients had GI leakage. When CT were added to fluoroscopic images, the AUC values significantly increased for both reviewers (from 0.859 to 0.942 for reviewer 1, P = 0.001; from 0.757 to 0.879 for reviewer 2, P = 0.002). Interobserver agreement between the two reviewers for the presence of leakage was excellent and improved with the addition of CT (weighted-kappa value, 0.869 versus 0.805). Postoperative intervention was more frequently performed (P < 0.001) and mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with leakage (45 days versus 27 days) (P = 0.003). Through this, positive intraluminal contrast CT has an added value over fluoroscopic examination for detecting GI leakage in GI tract surgery patients, increasing AUC values and improving interobserver agreement.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.