1.
Development of ICF core sets for head and neck cancer.
Tschiesner, U, Rogers, S, Dietz, A, Yueh, B, Cieza, A
Head & neck. 2010;(2):210-20
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on the International Classification of Functioning (ICF)-Disability and Health, participants from different professional and cultural backgrounds were invited to achieve consensus on a first version of ICF Core Set for head and neck cancer (HNC). It was designed to set standards for the assessment of functioning in HNC. METHODS The ICF was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2001 and was used as the frame of reference. Preselection of potential ICF categories was based on 4 different preparatory studies: patient interviews, health professional surveys, literature review, and multicenter study applying ICF-nomenclature. After training on the ICF, the results of preparatory studies were presented to 21 invited participants to vote in a formal consensus process on both the Brief and Comprehensive ICF Core Set for HNC. Participants came from all 6 WHO world regions, covering 12 different countries. Professional backgrounds included otorhinolaryngologists, maxillofacial surgeons, medical/radiation oncologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses, and social workers. RESULTS The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for HNC included 112 categories (8% of entire ICF) and the Brief ICF Core Set for HNC included 19 categories (1% of ICF). CONCLUSION A first version of ICF Core Sets for HNC was defined. Further validation is in process.
2.
Pregnancy registries in epilepsy: a consensus statement on health outcomes.
Meador, KJ, Pennell, PB, Harden, CL, Gordon, JC, Tomson, T, Kaplan, PW, Holmes, GL, French, JA, Hauser, WA, Wells, PG, et al
Neurology. 2008;(14):1109-17
Abstract
Most pregnant women with epilepsy require antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. Present guidelines recommend optimizing treatment prior to conception, choosing the most effective AED for seizure type and syndrome, using monotherapy and lowest effective dose, and supplementing with folate. The Epilepsy Therapy Project established the international Health Outcomes in Pregnancy and Epilepsy (HOPE) forum to learn more about the impact of AEDs on the developing fetus, particularly the role of pregnancy registries in studying AED teratogenicity. The primary outcome of interest in these registries is the occurrence of major congenital malformations, with some data collected on minor malformations. Cognitive and behavioral outcomes are often beyond the timeframe for follow-up of these registries and require independent study. The HOPE consensus report describes the current state of knowledge and the limitations to interpretations of information from the various sources. Data regarding specific risks for both older and newer AEDs need to be analyzed carefully, considering study designs and confounding factors. There is a critical need for investigations to delineate the underlying mechanisms and explain the variance seen in outcomes across AEDs and within a single AED.