Carole Cummins | University of Birmingham (original) (raw)

Papers by Carole Cummins

British Journal of Cancer, Jan 14, 1999

Cancer incidence among English south Asians (residents in England with ethnic origins in India, P... more Cancer incidence among English south Asians (residents in England with ethnic origins in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh) is described and compared with non-south Asian and Indian subcontinent rates. The setting for the study was areas covered by Thames, Trent, West Midlands and Yorkshire cancer registries. The study identified 356 555 cases of incident cancer (ICD9:140-208) registered between 1990 and 1992, including 3845 classified as English south Asian. The main outcome measures were age specific and directly standardized incidence rates for all cancer sites (ICD9:140-208). English south Asian incidence rates for all sites combined were significantly lower than non-south Asian rates but higher than Indian subcontinent rates. English south Asian rates were substantially higher than Indian subcontinent rates for a number of common sites including lung cancer in males, breast cancer in females and lymphoma in both sexes. English south Asian rates for childhood and early adult cancer (0-29 years) were similar or higher than non-south Asian rates. English south Asian rates were significantly higher than non-south Asian rates for Hodgkin's disease in males, cancer of the tongue, mouth, oesophagus, thyroid gland and myeloid leukaemia in females, and cancer of the hypopharynx, liver and gall bladder in both sexes. The results are consistent with a transition from the lower cancer risk of the country of ethnic origin to that of the country of residence. They suggest that detrimental changes in lifestyle and other exposures have occurred in the migrant south Asian population.

The West Midlands Development and Evaluation Service (DES) produces rapid systematic reviews abou... more The West Midlands Development and Evaluation Service (DES) produces rapid systematic reviews about the effectiveness of healthcare interventions and technologies, in response to requests from West Midlands Health Authorities or the HTA programme. Reviews usually take 3-6 months and aim to give a timely and accurate analysis of the quality, strength and direction of the available evidence, generating an economic analysis (where possible a costutility analysis) of the intervention.

BMJ Quality & Safety, 2015

In line with a national policy to move care &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;closer to ho... more In line with a national policy to move care &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;closer to home&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;, a specialist children&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s hospital in the National Health Service in England introduced consultant-led &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;satellite&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; clinics to two community settings for general paediatric outpatient services. Objectives were to reduce non-attendance at appointments by providing care in more accessible locations and to create new physical clinic capacity. This study evaluated these satellite clinics to inform further development and identify lessons for stakeholders. Impact of the satellite clinics was assessed by comparing community versus hospital-based clinics across the following measures: (1) non-attendance rates and associated factors (including patient characteristics and travel distance) using a logistic regression model; (2) percentage of appointments booked within local catchment area; (3) contribution to total clinic capacity; (4) time allocated to clinics and appointments; and (5) clinic efficiency, defined as the ratio of income to staff-related costs. Satellite clinics did not increase attendance beyond their contribution to shorter travel distance, which was associated with higher attendance. Children living in the most-deprived areas were 1.8 times more likely to miss appointments compared with those from least-deprived areas. The satellite clinics&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; contribution to activity in catchment areas and to total capacity was small. However, one of the two satellite clinics was efficient compared with most hospital-based clinics. Outpatient clinics were relocated in pragmatically chosen community settings using a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;drag and drop&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; service model. Such clinics have potential to improve access to specialist paediatric healthcare, but do not provide a panacea. Work is required to improve attendance as part of wider efforts to support vulnerable families. Satellite clinics highlight how improved management could contribute to better use of existing capacity.

Health technology assessment (Winchester, England), 2004

To determine the role of autoantibody tests for autoimmune diseases in children with newly diagno... more To determine the role of autoantibody tests for autoimmune diseases in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus. MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Citation lists of included studies were scanned and relevant professional and patient websites reviewed. Laboratories and manufacturers were contacted to identify ongoing or unpublished research. Following scoping searches on thyroid and coeliac autoantibodies, a systematic review of autoantibody tests for diagnosis of coeliac disease was carried out. Studies were included where cohorts of untreated patients with unknown disease status were included, all patients had undergone the reference test (biopsy) and antibody tests, and sensitivity and specificity were reported or calculable. Selected studies were then evaluated against a quality checklist. Summary statistics of diagnostic accuracy, i.e. sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratios, were calculated for all studi...

PloS one, 2015

Chronic migraine is a debilitating headache disorder that has significant impact on quality of li... more Chronic migraine is a debilitating headache disorder that has significant impact on quality of life. Stimulation of peripheral nerves is increasingly being used to treat chronic refractory pain including headache disorders. This systematic review examines the effectiveness and adverse effects of occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) for chronic migraine. Databases, including the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and clinical trial registers were searched to September 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), other controlled and uncontrolled observational studies and case series (n≥ 10) were eligible. RCTs were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model. Findings are presented in summary tables and forest plots. Five RCTs (total n=402) and seven case series (total n=115) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled results from three multicenter RCTs show that ONS was associated with a mean reduction of 2.59 days (95% CI 0.91...

Health Technol Assess, 2002

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, 2015

Background: Efficient and evidence-based medical device and equipment prioritization is of partic... more Background: Efficient and evidence-based medical device and equipment prioritization is of particular importance in low-income countries due to constraints in financing capacity, physical infrastructure and human resource capabilities. Methods: This paper outlines a medical device prioritization method developed in first instance for the Republic of South Sudan. The simple algorithm offered here is a starting point for procurement and selection of medical devices and can be regarded as a screening test for those that require more labour intensive health economic modelling. Conclusions: A heuristic method, such as the one presented here, is appropriate for reaching many medical device prioritization decisions in low-income settings. Further investment and purchasing decisions that cannot be reached so simply require more complex health economic modelling approaches.

The West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration (WMHTAC) produce rapid systematic re... more The West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration (WMHTAC) produce rapid systematic reviews about the effectiveness of healthcare interventions and technologies, in response to requests from West Midlands Health Authorities or the HTA programme. Reviews usually take 3-6 months and aim to give a timely and accurate analysis of the quality, strength and direction of the available evidence, generating an economic analysis (where possible a cost-utility analysis) of the intervention.

Evidence indicates that health behavior change initiatives are often not implemented successfully... more Evidence indicates that health behavior change initiatives are often not implemented successfully. This qualitative study aims to understand the barriers and facilitators to implementation of health behavior change brief advice into routine practice in an acute children&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s hospital setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with health professionals working at a UK children&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s hospital (n=33). Participants were purposively sampled to incorporate a range of specialties, job roles and training. An inductive thematic framework analysis identified two emergent themes. These capture the challenges of implementing routine health behavior change support in a children&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s hospital setting: (1) &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;health professional knowledge, beliefs and behaviors&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and (2) &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;patient and family related challenges&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;. This study enhances findings from previous research by outlining the challenges pediatric health professionals face in relation to supporting health behavior change. Challenges include failure to assume responsibility, low confidence, prioritization of the health provider relationship with patients and families, health provider and patient knowledge, and low patient and family motivation. Skills-based behavior change training is needed for pediatric health professionals to effectively support health behavior change.

A West Midlands Development …, 2000

PLoS ONE, 2011

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) in childre... more Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) in children In Great Britain.

PEDIATRICS, 2009

The association between celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognized. Most... more The association between celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognized. Most cases of CD in patients with DM are reported to be asymptomatic. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare and audit our practice with the published standards for screening for CD in children with DM, (2) characterize the children with DM and biopsy-confirmed CD, in terms of growth and gastrointestinal symptoms, and compare them with children with DM and negative celiac serology, and (3) document the effects of a gluten-free diet (GFD) after 1 year of gastrointestinal symptoms, growth, and insulin requirement. We performed a retrospective case-note review of 22 children with DM, positive celiac serology +/- biopsy-confirmed CD, and 50 children with DM and negative celiac serology. Twenty-two children (3.9% of the total diabetic population) had positive celiac serology on screening, with 17 (3%) having biopsy-confirmed CD. Ninety-four percent of the children had standardized celiac serology testing. At diagnosis of CD, 13 of the 17 biopsy-positive children (76.4%) had &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; or =1 gastrointestinal symptom. The frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms in negative celiac serology diabetic children was 6% (3 of 50) (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .0005). Symptoms resolved in all children after introduction of a GFD. A significant improvement in weight SD score (P = .008) and BMI SD score (P = .02) was noted in those compliant with a GFD after 1 year. Children with DM and CD have a higher frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms than their diabetic peers with negative celiac serology and are not truly asymptomatic. Institution of a GFD has a positive effect on nutritional status and symptom resolution in the short-term.

Oncogene, 2001

results indicate that (a) RASSF1A inactivation by hypermethylation is a frequent event in neural ... more results indicate that (a) RASSF1A inactivation by hypermethylation is a frequent event in neural crest tumorigenesis, particularly neuroblastoma, and that RASSF1A is a candidate 3p21.3 neuroblastoma TSG and (b) a subset of neuroblastomas may be characterized by a CpG island methylator phenotype. Oncogene (2001) 20, 7573 ± 7577.

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2004

Background. Prognostic factors and outcome are incompletely known in childhood mesangiocapillary ... more Background. Prognostic factors and outcome are incompletely known in childhood mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN). This study aimed to correlate renal outcome with clinical and histopathological variables. Methods. We conducted a two-centre retrospective analysis of children with MCGN. Results. Fifty-three children presented at a mean age of 8.8 years (range: 13 months-15 years). They were followed for a median of 3.5 years (range: 0-17 years). Histological classification identified 31 type 1, 14 type 2, two type 3 and six undetermined type. Mean renal survival [time to end-stage renal failure (ESRF)] was projected to be 12.2 years [confidence interval (CI): 9.7-14.6 years]. Five and 10 year renal survival was 92% (CI: 88-100%) and 83% (CI: 74-92%), respectively. Those with nephrotic syndrome at presentation had mean renal survival of 8.9 years (CI: 7.1-10.7 years) vs 13.6 years for those without (CI: 10.8-16.5 years) (P ¼ 0.047). The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1 year in those who progressed to ESRF was 52 vs 98 ml/min/1.73 m 2 in those who did not (P < 0.001). Chronic damage scored on the first biopsy in 31 children (one centre) was positively associated with adverse renal outcome at 5 years: <20% was associated with 100% and !20% with 71% 5-year renal survival (P ¼ 0.006). In 29 children treated with steroid there was a higher proportion (76%) with reduced eGFR at presentation and a significantly higher incidence of nephrotic syndrome (P ¼ 0.002) and hypertension (P ¼ 0.037). There were no significant differences in outcome eGFR, hypertension or proteinuria.

The Lancet, 2002

The frequency and ethnic variation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Kawasaki disease, and rarer vascu... more The frequency and ethnic variation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Kawasaki disease, and rarer vasculitides during childhood are not well characterised. Our aim was to ascertain the incidence and ethnic distribution of these conditions in children resident in a region of the UK with a diverse ethnic mix. 1.1 million children younger than age 17 years live in the West Midlands. Between Sept 1, 1996, and Aug 31, 1999, we surveyed this population with monthly questionnaires sent to 321 consultants, a single questionnaire sent to 2860 family doctors, and review of 406 case notes with diagnostic codes for vasculitis. We included in the analyses children who fulfilled established criteria for vasculitis with disease onset during the study, and calculated incidence rates from population rates derived from the census of 1991. We identified 586 new instances of vasculitis and connective tissue disease. The estimated annual incidence of Henoch-Schönlein purpura was 20.4 per 100000, and was highest between the ages of 4 years and 6 years (70.3 per 100000). The estimated annual incidence of Kawasaki disease was 5.5 per 100000 in children younger than 5 years, and was highest in Indian subcontinent Asian children (14.6 per 100000). Indian subcontinent Asian and black children had the highest incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, and other primary systemic vasculitides. Childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura is more frequent in the West Midlands than previously reported, and Kawasaki disease has a higher incidence than previously indicated in the UK, with the highest incidence in Indian subcontinental Asian children. Other vasculitis is rare in childhood.

Journal of Public Health, 1999

Background An assessment was made of the usefulness and accuracy of a computer program for the id... more Background An assessment was made of the usefulness and accuracy of a computer program for the identification of the south Asian population through the classification of names on a disease register.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2007

The aim was to develop a tool that measures patient dependency and disease severity in children w... more The aim was to develop a tool that measures patient dependency and disease severity in children with mild to severe liver disease. The initial pilot score was based on known markers of disease severity in acute and chronic liver disease. Between 1997 and 2001, the score was modified 4 times and reduced to comprise 10 key parameters: aspartate transaminase, prothrombin time, albumin, bilirubin, ascites, nutritional support, organ dysfunction, blood product support, sepsis and intravenous access. The score&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s face validity, internal consistency, interobserver agreement and construct validity were evaluated statistically and by the use of endpoints such as survival and transplant after 6 months. The final 10 variable score was tested on 71 children admitted over two 3-month periods. The Cronbach&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s alpha score (a test for internal consistency) for the total score was 0.72. Serial data paralleled clinical deterioration and response to interventions. A Paediatric Hepatology Dependency score &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;15 had an odds ratio of 7 (P = 0.0125) for death or transplant at 6 months. The score was also found to agree with the paediatric end-stage liver disease score for the 12 patients being listed for liver transplantation (r = 0.660, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). The Paediatric Hepatology Dependency score is valid and internally consistent and is a convenient measure of dependency and disease severity in a heterogeneous group of patients with liver disease. It also allows admissions to be audited for comparison between eras and for monitoring the progress of patients while on the ward.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 2014

Autoantibodies to glial, myelin and neuronal antigens have been reported in a range of central de... more Autoantibodies to glial, myelin and neuronal antigens have been reported in a range of central demyelination syndromes and autoimmune encephalopathies in children, but there has not been a systematic evaluation across the range of central nervous system (CNS) autoantibodies in childhood-acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS). Children under the age of 16 years with first-episode ADS were identified from a national prospective surveillance study; serum from 65 patients had been sent for a variety of diagnostic tests. Antibodies to astrocyte, myelin and neuronal antigens were tested or retested in all samples. Fifteen patients (23%) were positive for at least one antibody (Ab): AQ4-Ab was detected in three; two presenting with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and one with isolated optic neuritis (ON). Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-Ab was detected in seven; two with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), two with ON, one with transverse myelitis (TM) and two with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-Ab was found in two; one presenting with ADEM and one with ON. Voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC)-complex antibodies were positive in three; one presenting with ADEM, one with ON and one with CIS. GlyR-Ab was detected in one patient with TM. All patients were negative for the VGKC-complex-associated proteins LGI1, CASPR2 and contactin-2. A range of CNS-directed autoantibodies were found in association with childhood ADS. Although these antibodies are clinically relevant when associated with the specific neurological syndromes that have been described, further studies are required to evaluate their roles and clinical relevance in demyelinating diseases.