E W Steyerberg

..The probability-based policies could refine the selection without such an increase in the number of resections. Prediction models for the residual histology therefore merit wider application in clinical practice...

..We therefore recommend shrinkage methods in full models including prespecified predictors and incorporation of external information, when prognostic models are constructed in small data sets...

..In conclusion, a sensible strategy in small data sets is to apply shrinkage methods in full models that include well-coded predictors that are selected based on external information...

..We conclude that split-sample validation is inefficient, and recommend bootstrapping for estimation of internal validity of a predictive logistic regression model...

..83 and 0.82). This study illustrates that a careful modelling strategy may result in an adequate predictive model. Further study of model validity may stimulate application in clinical practice...

..To determine the relative importance of computed tomographic (CT) measurements for the prediction of histologic findings in residual masses in patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer...

..Moreover, adjustment results in a stratified estimate of the effect of treatment...

..We conclude that prognostic models may benefit substantially from explicit incorporation of literature data...

..The variation in essential assumptions of previous decision analyses directly affected the indication for prophylactic replacement. This study shows how detailed statistical analyses may guide modeling choices in a decision analysis...

..In conclusion, in patients with critical lower limb ischemia, the presence of ischemic skin lesions and the described radiological arterial disease score can be used to estimate amputation risk...

..As health economic aspects have only been studied in general terms, we estimated the cost of GJJ and that of stent placement in such patients...

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..This information will be useful for patient counseling and clinical decision making. It also could serve as a baseline for the evaluation of newer valve types...

..It remains to be determined whether the application of positron emission tomography will further increase sensitivities and specificities of metastases detection without jeopardising costs and QALYs...

..Unfortunately, most series are small with a limited follow-up. Meta-analysis and microsimulation modeling were used to predict long-term outcome based on currently available midterm data...

..We conclude that a simple statistical model, based on a limited number of patient characteristics, provides better guidelines for patient selection than those currently used in clinical practice...

..The aim of this study was to investigate the association between patient characteristics, resection rates and survival among patients with oesophageal or gastric cancer...

..Risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (OAC) and gastric cardia (GCA) are not yet established...

..The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of HEMS assistance compared with emergency medical services (EMS)...

..We conducted a study to determine the preferences of individuals and to predict uptake for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes using various screening tests...

..Cox regression was the most promising tool to define a more refined classification. British Journal of Cancer (2004) 90, 1176-1183. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601665 www.bjcancer.com Published online 24 February 2004..

..This type of care is very likely to be more cost effective than physician-led follow-up...

..The aim of the study was to assess the clinical severity of undertriaged patients in the MTS and to define the determinants of undertriage...

..Renal artery stenosis is a rare cause of hypertension. The gold standard for diagnosing renal artery stenosis, renal angiography, is invasive and costly...

..On the other hand, the rule might support selection of patients for RPLND, who currently are under surveillance...

..Therefore, we suggest that staging procedures for esophageal and gastric cardia cancer should preferably be performed in centers with technically advanced equipment and experienced radiologists...

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..These patients might profit most from more intensive treatment strategies. For this purpose, a regression tree was previously developed on 332 patients. We aimed to evaluate the performance and structure of this tree...

..To assess the cost effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for haematogenous bacterial arthritis in patients with joint disease...

..Both gastrojejunostomy (GJJ) and stent placement are commonly used palliative treatments of obstructive symptoms caused by malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO)...

..Although some factors provide prognostic information as to the risk of amputation in patients with CLI, there are no data supporting a more favorable treatment effect in any group...

..Appropriate treatment policies should include an accurate estimate of a patient's baseline risk. Risk modeling to date has been underutilized in patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation...

..The aim of this study was to identify such predictors of progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and EAC in patients with BE after 4 years of surveillance and to develop a prediction model based on these factors...

..Measuring quality of care and ranking hospitals with outcome measures poses two major methodological challenges: case-mix adjustment and variation that exists by chance...

..Placement should be considered at an early stage in these conditions...

..In patients with presumed Barrett esophagus we evaluated clinical risk factors that could predict the presence of intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia in biopsies of columnar-lined esophagus (CLE), independently of histological results...

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..The purpose of this article is to compare displays for the influence of random variation on the apparent differences in the quality of care between the Dutch hospitals...

..Application of this protocol will allow early diagnosis, and therefore prevent any adverse anti-cancer treatment sequelae including gonadectomy, and requiring life long androgen supplementation in some patients...

..It has been demonstrated that 40% of patients admitted to pulmonary medicine wards use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) without a registered indication...

..To determine interobserver variation in grading of dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus (BO) between non-expert general pathologists and expert gastrointestinal pathologists on the one hand and between expert pathologists on the other hand...

..The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a straightforward relationship between quality of care and outcome, and whether outcome measures could be used to assess quality of care after stroke...

..We therefore performed a systematic review to assess cancer risks in PJS patients and used these data to develop a surveillance recommendation...

..Serious complications have been associated with the use of prosthetic material. Complications of subsequent surgical interventions after prior PIHR in relation to its anatomical position were the objectives of this study...

..In both techniques, progression of aortic regurgitation over time is small but accelerated in young adults...

..The aim of this study was to explore whether surgical-site infection (SSI) rates are suitable for comparing hospitals, taking into account case-mix differences and random variation...

..Screening for prostate cancer (PC) may save lives, but overdiagnosis and overtreatment are serious drawbacks. We aimed to determine men's preferences for PC screening, and to elicit the trade-offs they make...

..Aortic allografts should preferably not be used for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract...

..The biochemical tests are generally not required. In children with a low probability of a normal result as calculated by the score chart, the test may be indicated...

..Pneumatic balloon dilatation (PD) is a regular treatment modality for achalasia. The reported success rates of PD vary. Recurrent symptoms often require repeated PD or surgery...

..However, in contrast to PSC, non-PSC transplants do not need an intensified screening strategy compared to the general population until a prospective study further defines recommendations...

..Therefore, aortic stiffness is associated with the risk of CHD in elderly, but provides no additional value in cardiovascular risk stratification...

..This study evaluated the influence of the HMT on the chance of survival of severely injured trauma victims...

..We investigated the relative weight that women place on various aspects of preventive drugs in a discrete choice experiment. Our patients said they were prepared to take preventive drugs even if side effects were expected...

..To quantify the costs of treatment in critical limb ischaemia (CLI) and to compare costs and effectiveness of two treatment strategies: spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and best medical treatment...

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..Other hypertensive patients with atherosclerotic renal artery disease could initially well be treated by aggressive multidrug therapy alone unless hypertension persists or renal function deteriorates...

..This study aimed to increase our understanding of self-management abilities and identify better self-managers among older individuals...

..We compared chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery with surgery alone in this patient population...

..Specific modifications of the MTS should be considered in paediatric emergency care to reduce overtriage, while maintaining sensitivity in the highest urgency categories...

..Moreover, time trend analysis showed a decline in test rate in HNPCC families. Studies evaluating the reasons for not testing are needed. Furthermore, a better implementation of genetic testing in clinical practice is desirable...

..In this study, we assessed whether publication bias was also present in the reporting of EUS staging results in upper gastrointestinal cancer...