In Round 1 of the CRN Pilot Fund call for proposals, four projects were
awarded funding. The following is an update by the Principal Investigator
on the progress of these projects .
Accuracy of Automated Data on Colorectal Cancer Screening
Exams, PI - Reina Haque (KPSC)
This project was approved by the IRB and commenced March 1, 2003.
We developed two computerized algorithms designed to distinguish between
screening and diagnostic endoscopy (sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy) tests
using automated databases and determined the ability of the algorithms
to correctly classify tests using patient charts as the gold standard.
Data collection and data editing are complete. We have submitted a manuscript
for consideration in the JNCI Monograph.
Investigation of Age-Specific Differences and Cancer of the
Cecal Colon, PI - Steven Dudas (HFHS)
In addition to CRN pilot funds, this project has been awarded an R03 from
the National Institute on Aging. The focus of the R03 is on determining
age related differences in tumors of the sigmoid region of the colon verses
the cecal region. And in addition, the object of the R03 is to examine
markers of microsatellite instability (MSI) in these tumors as well as
markers for oxidative stress and apoptosis. We are proceeding with the
immunohistochemical staining, conducting staining for each single marker
across all samples at a time. Initial staining is evaluating MSI markers,
MLH1 and PMS2.
We anticipate that all work will be done for a June submission date
for the R01.
|
Do Acute and Chronic Illnesses Trump Preventative Care,
PI - Michael VonKorff/Josh Fenton (GHC)
The project remains in the data collection phase. There are some exciting
pilot results from an analogous analysis among a large group of patients
with diabetes at Group Health Cooperative. We found that patients with
diabetes who had a pattern of predominantly lower-priority outpatient
service use were at disproportionate risk of not receiving timely diabetes-related
preventive services, such as hemoglobin A1C testing, retinal screening,
and microalbuminuria screening. We hypothesize that we will see similar
relationships among a general population that is eligible for cancer screening.
Race/Ethnic Disparities in Lung Cancer: The Role of Comorbidity
and Genetic Factors, PI - C. Martin Tammemagi (HFHS)
We are in the process of developing a HFHS Comorbidity/Symptoms Inventory
(C/S Inventory) for investigating the associations between comorbidities/symptoms
(ABSMS) and cancer outcomes, including diagnostic intensity, receipt of
optimal treatment and survival and evaluating how much race/ethnic disparity
in cancer outcomes is explained by comorbidities and symptoms. The findings
of our Lung Cancer Comorbidity Study (LCCS) indicate that important associations
exist and that adverse comorbidities and symptoms both explain important
amounts of race/ethnic disparity
Goals of the pilot study are to determine which ABSMs explain/ predict
robustly across cancers and outcomes; do and do not interact with gender
and race/ethnicity; and explain most race/ethnic disparity. These determinations
should enable the employment in analyses of ABSMs that are more efficient,
valid and comparable across cancers and outcomes
|
We are anticipating a number of publications to result from these efforts
and manuscript preparations and submissions are expected to be completed
by April 2005. We submitted an R01 on October 1, 2004.
CRN NEWS & MILESTONES
Sarah Greenes article on the impact of multiple IRB reviews
on a mailed survey has been accepted by Annals of Epidemiology.
Ed Wagner will present the CRNs progress as part of the opening
plenary in Santa Fe.
A new Scientific Interest Group on Qualitative Research Methods
is forming. Contact Nancy Vuckovic at KPNW if youd like to
learn more. (nancy.vuckovic@kpchr.org)
The Annual CRN Evaluation Survey was launched in February. If you
received an invitation and have not completed the survey, please
do so today. Your feedback is important. Results of the survey will
be discussed at the CRN meetings in Santa Fe.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
ASPO
March 13-15, 2005
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
AACR
April 16-20, 2005
ANAHEIM, CA
|
|
|