TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage classify if the passage has a definite objective/aim/goal or not. Output '1' if the passage has a defininte objective/aim/goal and output '0' if the passage does not have a definite objective/aim/goal.
PROBLEM: In heart failure, a holistic approach incorporating the patient's perspective is vital for prognosis and treatment. Self-rated health has strong associations with adverse events and short-term mortality risk, but long-term data are limited. We investigated the predictive value of two consecutive self-rated health assessments with regard to long-term mortality in a large, well characterised sample of elderly patients with stable chronic heart failure.", "We measured self-rated health by asking 'In general, would you say your health is: 1, excellent; 2, very good; 3, good; 4, fair; 5, poor?' twice: at baseline and the end of a 12-week beta-blocker up-titration period in the CIBIS-ELD trial. Mortality was assessed in an observational follow-up after 2-4 years. A total of 720 patients (mean left ventricular ejection fraction 45±12%, mean age 73±5 years, 36% women) rated their health at both time points. During long-term follow-up, 144 patients died (all-cause mortality 20%). Fair/poor self-rated health in at least one of the two reports was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 1.42 per level; 95% confidence interval 1.16-1.75; P<0.001). It remained independently significant in multiple Cox regression analysis, adjusted for N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), heart rate and other risk prediction covariates. Self-rated health by one level worse was as predictive for mortality as a 1.9-fold increase in NTproBNP.

SOLUTION: 1

PROBLEM: Fracture and low bone mineral density both have strong predictive value for future fractures. The risk of future fractures can be reduced by medi-cal treatment if patients with osteoporosis are identified, for example by screening fracture patients for low bone mineral density. We suggest that these screening routines be organized at orthopedics departments and we report our experience with such a screening system.', 'We screened all patients between 50-75 years of age with a wrist, vertebral, proximal humerus, or hip fracture visiting our orthopedics department by measuring bone mineral density (BMD) using DEXA scans. After diagnosis, the patients were referred to their primary care physician for treatment.', 'Between November 1, 2002, and October 31, 2003, 239 patients were investigated and only 13% had normal BMD values. 45% of the patients were diagnosed with osteopenia and 42% with osteoporosis.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: To investigate serum beta2-glycoprotein I-low-density lipoprotein (β2-GPI-LDL) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and to further evaluate the associations of β2-GPI-LDL with ox-LDL in vivo and with the presence of diabetic microvascular complications.', 'We determined β2-GPI-LDL, ox-LDL and small dense low density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) levels in 236 T2DM patients with or without microvascular complications and 75 controls. The correlation analyses, multiple linear regression analyses and logistic regression analyses were performed, respectively.', 'Compared with controls, β2-GPI-LDL and ox-LDL levels were significantly elevated in both groups of T2DM patients and those with microvascular complications exhibited the more significant increase than those without complications. Serum β2-GPI-LDL levels were positively correlated with ox-LDL as well as sdLDL-C levels in T2DM patients. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that ox-LDL was one of the independent determinants of β2-GPI-LDL levels. Logistic regression analyses indicated that elevated β2-GPI-LDL and ox-LDL levels had significant predictive values for diabetic microvascular complications.

SOLUTION:
1