Albumin-creatinine ration (ACR) has been correlated to increased morbidity and mortality in diabetic as well as in nondiabetic populations. We investigated the albumin-creatinine ratio in 898 randomly selected persons aged 30-50 years, 471 women and 424 men (year 0). ACR was remeasured 1 year later in 811 (90%) of these persons (year 1). This was done in the framework of a prospective, randomized, population-based intervention trial evaluating the effect of health test and health conversations in general practice. The mean age of the study population was 39.8 (range, 30-51) years with a mean body mass index of 24.3 (15.9-44.3) kg/m2. The 50th, 95th, and 99th percentiles of ACR were 0.6, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/mmol at year 0 and 0.5, 2.0, and 5.3 mg/mmol at year 1. There was no significant difference between ACR values at year 0 and year 1. ARC values were slightly higher in women than in men, 0.6, (0.2-20.4) mg/mmol versus 0.5 (0.2-16.3) mg/mmol (p < 0.001, median and range). Albumin concentrations were slightly higher in men than in women 8.0 (2.0-196.0) mg/mmol versus 6.5 (2.0-121.0) micrograms/mL, p < 0.001. The correlation between ACR values measured year 0 versus year 1 was 0.43, p < 0.001 (Spearman rho). The agreement from year 0 to year 1 between normal ACR values (< or = 2.5 mg/mmol) and abnormal values (> 2.5 mg/mmol) were 0.33 expressed by Cohen's kappa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tenure: viable or a dinosaur?

This article discusses the history of tenure in academia as well as the current pros and cons of the tenure system. A review of nursing and non-nursing literature reveals that the most important goal confronting the nation's universities and colleges today is to find more creative ways to define scholarly work and incorporate it into promotion and tenure guidelines. The author presents arguments for and against tenure, reviews the impact of tenure in nursing, and offers recommendations and solutions to the tenure dilemma in nursing.

Career Mobility↗

PubMedDate not supplied

On target: a model to teach baccalaureate nursing students to apply critical thinking.

As nurses enter the 21st century, problem solving and critical thinking are critical to successful clinical practice. Studies have revealed that thought professionals may have critical thinking knowledge, they do not always use it in everyday practice. This article presents an education model that faculty members can use to teach baccalaureate nursing students to think critically and incorporate research findings into clinical practice. The model offers a four-semester plan that can be integrated into programs of study.

Curriculum↗