Selection of confounding variables should not be based on observed associations with exposure

In observational studies, selection of confounding variables for adjustment is often based on observed baseline incomparability. The aim of this study was to evaluate this selection strategy. We used clinical data on the effects of inhaled long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) use on the risk of mortality among patients with obstructive pulmonary disease to illustrate the impact of selection of confounding variables for adjustment based on baseline comparisons. Among 2,394 asthma and COPD patients included in the analyses, the LABA ever-users were considerably older than never-users, but cardiovascular co-morbidity was equally prevalent (19.9% vs. 19.9%). Adjustment for cardiovascular co-morbidity status did not affect the crude risk ratio (RR) for mortality: crude RR 1.19 (95% CI 0.93–1.51) versus RR 1.19 (95% CI 0.94–1.50) after adjustment for cardiovascular co-morbidity. However, after adjustment for age (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.76–1.19), additional adjustment for cardiovascular co-morbidity status did affect the association between LABA use and mortality (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.80–1.26). Confounding variables should not be discarded based on balanced distributions among exposure groups, because residual confounding due to the omission of confounding variables from the adjustment model can be relevant

Optically-guided frameless linac-based radiosurgery for brain metastases: clinical experience

The purpose of this study was to describe our clinical experience using optically-guided linear accelerator (linac)-based frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of brain metastases. Sixty-five patients (204 lesions) were treated between 2005 and 2008 with frameless SRS using an optically-guided bite-block system. Patients had a median of 2 lesions (range, 1–13). Prescription dose ranged from 14 to 22 Gy (median, 18 Gy) and was given in a single fraction. Clinical and radiographic evaluation occurred every 2–4 months following treatment. At a median follow-up of 6.2 months, actuarial survival at 12 months was 40% [95% confidence interval (CI), 28–52). Of 135 lesions that were evaluable for local control (LC), 119 lesions (88%) did not show evidence of progression. Actuarial 12 month LC was 76% (95% CI, 66–86). Tumors ≤2 cm in size had a better 12 month LC rate (81% vs. 36%, P = 0.017) than those >2 cm. Adverse events occurred in three patients (5%). Optically-guided linac-based frameless SRS can produce clinical outcomes that compare favorably to frame-based techniques. As this technique is convenient to use and allows for the uncomplicated delivery of hypofractionated radiotherapy, frameless SRS will likely have an increasingly important role in the management of brain metastases

The additional value of TGFβ1 and IL-7 to predict the course of prostate cancer progression

Background: Given the fact that prostate cancer incidence will increase in the coming years, new prognostic biomarkers are needed with regard to the biological aggressiveness of the prostate cancer diagnosed. Since cytokines have been associated with the biology of cancer and its prognosis, we determined whether transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), interleukin-7 (IL-7) receptor and IL-7 levels add additional prognostic information with regard to prostate cancer

Association of body composition and blood pressure categories with retinal vessel diameters in primary school children

Alterations in retinal vessel diameters have been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular risk in adults and children. The aim of our study was to examine the association of body composition and blood pressure (BP) categories with retinal vessel diameters in school children. We examined anthropometric parameters, BP and retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular (CRVE) diameters as well as the arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio (AVR) in 391 children (age: 7.3, s.d. 0.4). Differences between the lowest and highest BP quartiles indicated that higher systolic and diastolic BP were associated with narrower CRAE (P<0.001 for both). Children in the highest weight quartile had narrower CRAE compared with the lowest quartile (P=0.05). In the regression analysis, systolic and diastolic BP were associated with arteriolar narrowing (-0.4 measuring units (mu) per mm Hg, 95% confidence interval: [-0.6; -0.3] and -0.6 mu per mm Hg [-0.7; -0.4], respectively; P<0.001 for both). An independent association was found for diastolic BP only. Compared with normotensives (NT; 74.4% of cohort), arteriolar narrowing was already seen in children categorized as pre-hypertensive (PHT) (11.5% of cohort), which was similar to HT children (14.1% of cohort) (NT: mean 207.2 [205.6; 208.7] mu; PHT: 201.7 [197.8; 205.7] mu; HT: 199.7 [196.2; 203.3] mu; P=0.01 for PHT vs. NT and P<0.001 for HT vs. NT in systolic BP). Our results suggest that systolic and diastolic BP are main determinants of retinal arteriolar diameters; and therefore, microvascular health in young children. Pre-hypertension seems to be associated with retinal microvascular alterations early in life