TBL 1: Dysphagia

Question 1

When evaluating relevance what do you consider?

Answer 1

The feasibility of the test or intervention

Clear link between the study subjects and the target population- similar severity of disease, age.

Look at relevant factors related to the disease outcome. (Look after a week but more interested long term)

Question 2

What affects validity?

Answer 2

Appropriateness of study design
Adequacy of blinding
Randomization of group assignment
Invalid measurement
Relevant comparison or control group
Consideration of appropriate covariates
Conclusions are consistent with evidence
Follow-up of all study participants
Appropriate sample size 
Conflict of interest
Discussed other relevant studies

Question 3

What is the difference between clinical and statistical significance?

Answer 3

Clinical significance- how large of a difference was found

Statistical significance in terms of p-values, confidence intervals, power, how sensitive or specific were the test results.

Question 4

Why use radioablation in the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus?

Answer 4

Patients that were in the ablation group were less likely than the control group to progress to high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma

Question 5

What esophageal dysmotility disorders have higher prevalence in patients with spinal cord injuries?

Answer 5

dysphagia
GERD
heart burn

…can’t remember more

Question 6

How do you identify a clinical question from a research paper?

Answer 6

A good clinical question should include the POPULATION, the specific INTERVENTION of interest, a COMPARISON of specific alternatives, and the OUTCOME that is objective and meaningful to a pt.

In boys (population) with primary enuresis, does a bedwetting alarm (Intervention) as compared to desmopressin (comparison)
result in more dry nights?

Question 7

What is a case control study?

Answer 7

Compares a group WITH and W/OUT disease to identify RF

Question 8

What is a cross-sectional study?

Answer 8

Asseses FREQUENCY of disease at a POINT in time

Question 9

What is a cohort study?

Answer 9

Compares group WTIH EXPOSURE to a group WTIHOUT to assess what will happen

Question 10

What is a randomized controlled trial?

Answer 10

Compares THERAPEUTIC benefits

Question 11

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 11

Pools data from SEVERAL STUDIES