This study provides tools to predict premature mortality in type 2 diabetic inpatients. However, before their general application they require joint validation by the internal medicine unit, emergency department, primary healthcare unit and endocrinology service to enable better prediction of the prognosis and more adequate decision-taking.

Introduction Predictive models must meet clinical/methodological standards to be used in clinical practice. However, no critique of those models relating to mortality/recurrence in tongue cancer has been done bearing in mind the accepted standards. Methods We conducted a systematic review evaluating the methodology and clinical applicability of predictive models for mortality/recurrence in tongue cancer published in MEDLINE and Scopus. For each model, we analysed (domains of CHARMS, Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies) the following: source of data, participants, outcome to be predicted, candidate predictors, sample size, missing data, model development, model performance, model evaluation, results and interpretation and discussion. Results We found two papers that included eight prediction models, neither of which adhered to the CHARMS recommendations. Conclusion Given the quality of tongue cancer models, new studies following current consensus are needed to develop predictive tools applicable in clinical practice.

Objective: The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) is a questionnaire to assess the severity of patellar tendinopathies. Its use requires good reliability indicators: internal consistency, test-retest and parallel forms. Several studies have been published examining this question, but to date the reliability of this questionnaire (meta-analysis) has not been generalized. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to generalize the reliability of the VISA-P. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus. Study selection: Studies included were those examining the reliability coefficients of the VISA-P: Cronbach alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and parallel-forms (correlation coefficients compared with other scales). Data extraction: All coefficients were extracted and the mean reliability was obtained using fixed- or random-effects models. Sensitivity (leave-one-out analysis) was analyzed. Quality assessment was performed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Data Synthesis: Of 364 scientific articles, 12 fulfilled meta-analysis criteria. The summary statistic was 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.92] for Cronbach alpha and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89-0.97) for the ICC. Parallel forms depended on the comparative test used, ranging from −0.83 to 0.68. The sensitivity analysis found an influential study for the parallel-forms reliability in the Blazina score. We were unable to analyze the asymmetry of funnel plots and meta-regression models because of the number of studies. Conclusions: The reliability of VISA-P for assessing the severity of patellar tendinopathies requires greater evaluation with more scientific evidence before it can be implemented in clinical practice.

As cardiovascular risk tables currently in use were constructed using data from the general population, the cardiovascular risk of patients admitted via the hospital emergency department may be underestimated. Accordingly, we constructed a predictive model for the appearance of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes admitted via the emergency department. We undertook a four-year follow-up of a cohort of 112 adult patients with type 2 diabetes admitted via the emergency department for any cause except patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, or a palliative status. The sample was selected randomly between 2010 and 2012. The primary outcome was time to cardiovascular disease. Other variables (at baseline) were gender, age, heart failure, renal failure, depression, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, insulin, smoking, admission for cardiovascular causes, pills per day, walking habit, fasting blood glucose and creatinine. A cardiovascular risk table was constructed based on the score to estimate the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Risk groups were established and the c-statistic was calculated. Over a mean follow-up of 2.31 years, 39 patients had cardiovascular disease (34.8%, 95% CI [26.0–43.6%]). Predictive factors were gender, age, hypertension, renal failure, insulin, admission due to cardiovascular reasons and walking habit. The c-statistic was 0.734 (standard error: 0.049). After validation, this study will provide a tool for the primary health care services to enable the short-term prediction of cardiovascular disease after hospital discharge in patients with type 2 diabetes admitted via the emergency department.