Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

About: Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences is a education organization based out in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Population. The organization has 937 authors who have published 1113 publications receiving 27447 citations.

The impact of type 1 diabetes on young adults’ health-related quality of life

Abstract: Young adulthood is a challenging period for people with diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) as they are facing multiple life transitions while managing a demanding disease. This poses a risk for impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We assessed HRQOL in a cohort of young adults with T1DM in the Netherlands, and compared outcomes with those of Dutch norm groups of healthy young adults and young adults with a chronic disease. We analyzed data collected in a larger evaluation study on transitional care for young adults with T1DM in a nationwide sample in the Netherlands, including twelve participating hospitals. These data had been obtained from online questionnaires completed by young adults with T1DM after they had transferred to adult care. HRQOL was self-reported with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory for young adults (PedsQL-YA). One hundred and sixty-five young adults with T1DM participated (44.2% response); and they scored significantly worse than did healthy peers on all domains of HRQOL, except social functioning. Particularly, functioning at school or work was worse than that of the norm group. The study group’s HRQOL-scores were comparable to norm scores of young adults with chronic diseases, although the physical and social functioning of young people with T1DM was better. One quarter (26.1%) of all young adults with T1DM reported fatigue. During transition to adulthood, young adults with T1DM struggle to maintain a balance between the demands of managing a disease and their life. Many of them encounter problems at work or school, and suffer from fatigue. These findings underscore the need to regularly assess HRQOL, and to discuss work- and education-related issues in clinical practice.

Designing with Care: The Future of Pervasive Healthcare

Abstract: Humane care—which is an important design paradigm relevant for pervasive healthcare—means designing systems with care, keeping in mind both users and other stakeholders. Understanding human values is a key factor in creating any successful healthcare application and is essential to avoid dehumanizing and stigmatizing users. By considering human values, designers and developers can create pervasive healthcare applications that better fit users' needs and desires. The Designing with Care 09 workshop aimed to bring together researchers, designers, and practitioners to share their experiences with incorporating values into the design of pervasive healthcare systems and to help understand the sensitive issues involved in designing for healthcare. Based on the findings from the workshop, the present state of the art is discussed, and a research agenda is presented.

Cardiac Effects of Chronic Oral Beta-Blockade:

Abstract: Background: Although well established on the sinus node, the effects of beta-blockade on ventricular repolarization are still conflicting The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a chronic beta-blockade on sinus node and repolarization parameters and their relationship Methods: Sixteen healthy volunteers (10 males, mean age: 40 ± 67 years) were randomized to placebo or atenolol (100 mg) After 7 days, subjects were crossed over Heart rate (HR) and HRV indices were calculated from long-term ECG recordings separately during the day and at night, together with ventricular repolarization parameters (QT interval duration and QT rate-dependence) Results: Mean R-R intervals were significantly and consistently increased after atenolol (Day: 916 ± 103 ms vs 712 ± 89 ms, and Night: 1149 ± 93 vs 996 ± 125 ms) HRV changes under atenolol were also consistent, with a significant decrease in sympathovagal ratio In contrast, atenolol only lowered diurnal QT rate-dependence (0123 ± 0032 vs 0190 ± 0065 on placebo, P < 0001), but not the nocturnal pattern After multivariate analysis QT rate-dependence changes induced by atenolol were correlated with pretreatment QT/RR relation (r = 065, P < 001) but not with any HR or HRV parameters Conclusions: In healthy subjects, repolarization changes following chronic beta-blockade cannot be predicted by HR or HRV changes, but are dependent on pretreatment rate-dependence ANE 2002;7(4):379–388

Utilization and cost of diagnostic imaging and biopsies following positive screening mammography in the southern breast cancer screening region of the Netherlands, 2000–2005

Abstract: We prospectively assessed trends in utilization and costs of diagnostic services of screen-positive women in a biennial breast cancer screening program for women aged 50–75 years. All 2,062 women with suspicious findings at screening mammography in the southern region of the Netherlands between 1 January 2000 and 1 July 2005 (158,997 screens) were included. Data were collected on any diagnostic examinations, interventional procedures, and surgical consultations with two-year follow-up. We used national reimbursement rates to estimate imaging costs and percutaneous biopsy costs. Cost prices, charged by hospitals, were used to estimate open surgical biopsy costs and surgical consultation costs. The largest increase in utilization of diagnostic procedures per 100 referrals was observed for axillary ultrasound (from 3.9 in 2000 to 33.5 in 2005) and for stereotactic core biopsy (from 2.1 in 2000 to 26.8 in 2005). Per 100 referrals, the open surgical biopsy rate decreased from 34.7 (2000) to 4.6 (2005) and the number of outpatient surgical consultations fluctuated between 269.8 (2000) and 309.7 (2004). Mean costs for the diagnosis of one cancer were €1,501 and ranged from €1,223 (2002) to €1,647 (2003). Surgical biopsies comprised 54.1% of total diagnostic costs for women screened in 2000, but decreased to 9.9% for women screened in 2005. Imaging costs increased from 23.7 to 43.8%, percutaneous biopsy costs from 9.9 to 27.2%, and consultation costs from 12.3 to 19.1%. We conclude that diagnostic costs per screen-detected cancer remained fairly stable through the years, although huge changes in the use of different diagnostic procedures were observed.