Health economics analysis has become increasingly important in recent years. It is essential to master the use of relevant software to conduct research in health economics. TreeAge Pro software is widely used in the healthcare decision analysis. It can carry out decision analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation. With powerful functionlity and outstanding visualization, it can build Markov disease transition models to analyze Markov processes according to disease models and accomplish decision analysis with decision trees and influence diagrams. This paper introduces cost-effectiveness analysis based on Markov model with examples and explains the main graphs.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an age-related neurodegenerative eye disease characterized by degeneration and progressive death of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor cells. In recent years, as a new treatment for AMD, stem cell therapy has attracted wide attention in the field of AMD, and has become a current research hotspot. Although stem cell therapy carries risks such as increased incidence of cancer and immune rejection, it significantly promotes damaged photoreceptor cells and retinal cells by differentiating into RPE cells and other retinal cell types, as well as secreting neurotrophic factors and extracellular vesicles. In particular, the development of embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cells, its cryopreservation technology and the advancement of plasmid, adeno-associated virus, Sendai virus and other delivery technologies have laid a solid foundation for stem cell therapy of AMD. As a new method to prevent retinal damage and photoreceptor degeneration, stem cell neuroprotective therapy has shown great potential, and with the continuous maturity and improvement of these technologies, stem cell therapy is expected to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of AMD in the future.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading irreversible causes of blindness in China. The pathogenesis of AMD is not fully understood at present. Under various stress conditions, cellular senescence is activated, characterized by telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and the release of various senescence-related secretory phenotype factors. Senescence is implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD through multiple pathways, contributing to chronic inflammation and the onset and progression of AMD. Mechanisms such as oxidative stress, lipofuscin, β amyloid protein and the membrane attack complex have become hotspots of study in the pathogenesis of AMD. The cyclic guanosine phosphate - adenosine synthase - interferon stimulating factor synthase-stimulator of interferon gene pathway has emerged as a critical signaling pathway in the early development of AMD, providing direction for further research on AMD. Currently, senolytics, selective agents targeting the induction of senescent cell apoptosis, show significant potential in the treatment of AMD. The integration of new technologies with cellular senescence may offer a novel approach to AMD treatment, and intervening in the AMD treatment through anti-cellular senescence pathways holds promising prospects.
Objective To analyze the incidence and mortality of asthma in China from 1990 to 2019, and to explore the influence of age, period and cohort on the incidence and mortality of asthma. Methods Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database, the incidence and mortality of asthma in China from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed, and the time variation trend of age-standardized incidence and mortality was analyzed by using Joinpoint software, and the average annual variation percentage was calculated. The age-period-cohort model was constructed to analyze the influence of age, period and birth cohort on the incidence and mortality trend of asthma. Results In 2019, the incidence of asthma in China was 264.44/100 000, and the mortality rate was 1.74/100 000. The incidence rate of asthma in males (300.94/100 000) and mortality rate (1.99/100 000) were higher than those in females (226.51/100 000 and 1.49/100 000). From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence of asthma in China showed a downward trend, but the trend was not statistically significant (P>0. 05), and the age-standardized mortality showed a downward trend, with an average annual decrease of 4.90%, with a statistically significant trend (P<0.05). The results of age effect showed that the incidence of asthma in China showed a downward trend, and the death first showed a downward trend, and then increased in the age group of 55-59. The results of period effect show that the risk of asthma is decreasing, and then it is increasing from 2015 to 2019, and the risk of asthma mortality is decreasing. The results of cohort effect show that the later people are born, the lower the risk of asthma onset and death. The death of asthma is attributed to behavioral risk, high body mass index and tobacco, and the occupational risk tends to decrease. ConclusionsFrom 1990 to 2019, the incidence and mortality of asthma in China showed a decreasing trend, and the incidence and mortality of men were higher than that of women. The risk factors of behavioral risk, high body mass index and tobacco were still on the rise, so corresponding measures should be taken to carry out early screening, early detection, and early treatment for key populations.
Objective To investigate the relationship between velopharyngeal functions and factors such as age at operation , cleft type, performing procedure.Methods FFT technique and velopharyngeal X-ray examination were used to evaluate the velopharyngeal functions of 82 patients. The relatively important factors affecting velopharyngeal functions were searched out through regression analyse and pearson correlation. Results A significant positive correlation was confirmed between AAO(age at operation) and A1/A2(velopharyngeal incompetence), Plt;0.001. AAO also showed linear regression with A1/A2. Model was significant, Plt;0.001. Quotation: A1/A2(velopharyngeal incompetence)=0.005 852×AAO+0.961. Conclusion AAOwas an important affecting factor on velopharyngeal functions. The earlier the cleft is repaired, the more normal velopharyngeal functions will be obtained.
OBJECTIVE To summarize the clinical results of hollow compression screw in treatment of fracture of neck of femur in the aged. METHODS: From November 1993 to October, 1998, 52 aged patients with several types of fracture of neck of femur were treated; among them, there were 25 males and 27 females aged from 60 to 83 years (70 years on average). There were 48 cases of fresh fracture and 4 cases of old fracture. Forty-two cases were performed closed reduction internal fixation, 10 cases with open reduction internal fixation. RESULTS: All the patients could sit by themselves 4 to 6 days after operation, and could walk with a crutch 10 to 15 days after operation. The mobility of hip joint was nearly normal 4 weeks after operation. All the patients were followed 26 to 84 months, 48.5 months on average. Bone union was achieved in 50 cases, nonunion in 2 cases. The average healing time was 4.7 months. There were no other complications, such as ankylosis and muscular atrophy, but ischemic necrosis in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: This method has following advantages, convenient manipulation, less injury, stable fixation, and the short-term recovery, which avoid some common complications. It is a reliable method worthy of popularizing.
Objective To determine whether the basal characteristics and survival of young patients undergoing surgical resection of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) differ from those of elderly patients. And, we would discuss the special perioperative management in elderly patients with NSCLC. Methods 178 NSCLC patients who underwent surgery in our hospital between Jan. to Dec. in 2002 were divided into two groups according to age. Young group comprised 89 patients aged 50 years or younger and elderly group comprised 89 patients aged 70 years or older. The patients’ clinical data, operative style,postoperative complications and survival results were reviewed and analysed. Results The proportion of the elderly group squamous cell carcinoma patients was higher than that of the younger group （χ2=9.281,P=0.000.）,but there was no significant difference between the gender, smoking, histology, TNM stage, type of resection, post operation chemotherapy or radiotherapy（χ2≤5.569，Pgt;0.05）. The incidence of the preoperative cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis in the elderly group patients were higher than those of younger group（χ2=14.053，P=0.000;χ2=13.044，P=0.000）.The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly higher in elderly group than those of younger group（χ2=12842，P=0.000）. The 1, 3 and 5year survival rates were 71.43％，33.53％ and 27.83％ in elderly group, and 77.78％，46.67％ and 44.07％ in young group, respectively. However, the 1, 3 and 5year survival rates for patients in two groups showed no difference between two groups（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion The elderly patients have higher operative risk than that of young patients. We should pay more attention to the perioperative management of elderly patients. The elderly patients could get acceptable long term survival rates through surgical treatment. Operation is still the first choice for elderly patients with NSCLC.
ObjectiveTo analyze the incidence and mortality trends of falls among elderly in China from 1990 to 2019, and to evaluate the impact of age, period, and cohort on their long-term trends. MethodsThe joinpoint regression model and age-period-cohort model were used to analysis. The annual percent change (APC) and the average annual percent change (AAPC) were used to analyze the incidence and mortality of falls among elderly in China from 1990 to 2019. The influence of age, period and cohort on the incidence and mortality of falls were analyzed. ResultsThe standardized incidence and mortality rates of falls among the elderly in China showed fluctuating upward trends from 1990 to 2019 (AAPC=1.929%, 1.535%, P<0.001), The increase rate of falls incidence was higher in men than that in women (AAPC=1.928%, 1.923%, P<0.001), and the increase rate of falls mortality was lower in men than that in women (AAPC=1.407%, 1.562%, P<0.001). The results of the age-period-cohort model showed that the age effect and period effect coefficients of incidence and mortality of falls in Chinese elderly men and women showed an overall fluctuating upward trend, while the cohort effect coefficients showed an overall downward trend. ConclusionFrom 1990 to 2019, the age standardized incidence and mortality rate of falls among the elderly in China show fluctuating upward trends. The incidence of falls in elderly women is higher than that in men, and the mortality rate of falls in elderly men is higher than that in women. It is recommended to strengthen the prevention work for falls in the oldest old, the incidence of falls in elderly women, and the mortality of falls in elderly men.
Objective To explore the clinical effect and complications of lumbar plexus block through different approaches on perioperative analgesia in aged proximal femur surgery, and find the best method for analgesia in these patients. Methods From January to December 2015, 150 elderly patients scheduled for proximal femur surgery were randomly divided into three groups: psoas compartment block (PCB group, n=50), Winnie " 3 in 1” block (Winnie group, n=50), and fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB group, n=50). Twelve hours before surgery, guided by ultrasound and nerve stimulator, lumbar plexus blocks were performed in all the patients, then patient-controlled analgesia (the formula and the usage were the same) was done. All patients received epidural anesthesia, and were maintained postoperative analgesia for 72 hours. If Rest Visual Analogue Scale>3 or Initiative Movement Visual Analogue Scale>4, sufentanyl 10 μgi.m. was given. Muscle strength grades and complications were recorded. Anesthetic effect of sensory block of femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and obturator nerves were measured and recorded too. Results There were two cases of epidural block, and one case of puncture point bleeding in group PCB; no complication in the other groups was found. There was no remedy for inadequate analgesia in the three groups. Compared with group PCB, the muscle strength grades during postoperative 24–72 hours in group FICB were higher (P<0.05). The successful rate of the block of lateral femoral cutaneous nerves was 64%, 91% and 96% in group Winnie, group PCB and group FICB, respectively, and the differences between the three groups were all statistically significant (P<0.05). The successful rate of the block of obturator nerves in group FICB (62%) was lower than that in group PCB (89%) and Winnie group (84%) (P<0.05). Conclusion Continuous fascia iliaca compartment block on perioperative analgesia in aged proximal femur surgery, with exact effect, less complications and simple operation, is better than the psoas compartment block and Winne " 3 in 1” nerve block.
Objective To analyze the epidemic trend of prostate cancer in China from 1992 to 2021, and predict its epidemic trends from 2022 to 2032. Methods Based on the data of Chinese population and prostate cancer incidence and mortality from Global Burden of Disease Database, the Joinpoint log-linear model was used to analyze the trends of prostate cancer incidence and mortality, use the age-period-cohort model to analyze the effects of age, period and cohort on changes in incidence and mortality, and the gray prediction model was used to predict the trends of prostate cancer. Results From 1992 to 2021, the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China showed an upward trend, with AAPC of 5.652% (P<0.001) and 3.466% (P<0.001), and the AAPC of age-standardized incidence decreased to 1.990% (P<0.001), the age-standardized mortality showed a downward trend and was not statistically significant. The results of the age-period-cohort model showed that the net drift values of prostate cancer incidence and mortality were 3.03% and −1.06%, respectively, and the risk of incidence and mortality gradually increased with age and period. The results of the grey prediction model showed that the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer showed an upward trend from 2022 to 2032, and the incidence trend was more obvious. Conclusion The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China showed an increasing trend, with a heavy disease burden and severe forms of prevention and control, so it is necessary to do a good job in monitoring the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer, and strengthen the efficient screening, early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.