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Perioperative Medicine (London, England) Jun 2024Surveys suggest a low level of implementation of clinical guidelines, although they are intended to improve the quality of treatment and patient safety. Which guideline...
BACKGROUND
Surveys suggest a low level of implementation of clinical guidelines, although they are intended to improve the quality of treatment and patient safety. Which guideline recommendations are not followed and why has yet to be analysed. In this study, we investigate the proportion of European and national guidelines followed in the area of pre-operative anaesthetic evaluation prior to non-cardiac surgery.
METHODS
We conducted this monocentric retrospective observational study at a German university hospital with the help of software that logically links guidelines in such a way that individualised recommendations can be derived from a patient's data. We included routine logs of 2003 patients who visited our pre-anaesthesia outpatient clinic between June 2018 and June 2020 and compared the actual conducted pre-operative examinations with the recommendations issued by the software. We descriptively analysed the data for examinations not performed that would have been recommended by the guidelines and examinations that were performed even though they were not covered by a guideline recommendation. The guidelines examined in this study are the 2018 ESAIC guidelines for pre-operative evaluation of adults undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery, the 2014 ESC/ESA guidelines on non-cardiac surgery and the German recommendations on pre-operative evaluation on non-cardiothoracic surgery from the year 2017.
RESULTS
Performed ECG (78.1%) and cardiac stress imaging tests (86.1%) indicated the highest guideline adherence. Greater adherence rates were associated with a higher ASA score (ASA I: 23.7%, ASA II: 41.1%, ASA III: 51.8%, ASA IV: 65.8%, P < 0.001), lower BMI and age > 65 years. Adherence rates in high-risk surgery (60.5%) were greater than in intermediate (46.5%) or low-risk (44.6%) surgery (P < 0.001). 67.2% of technical and laboratory tests performed preoperatively were not covered by a guideline recommendation.
CONCLUSIONS
Guideline adherence in pre-operative evaluation leaves room for improvement. Many performed pre-operative examinations, especially laboratory tests, are not recommended by the guidelines and may cause unnecessary costs. The reasons for guidelines not being followed may be the complexity of guidelines and organisational issues. A software-based decision support tool may be helpful.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04843202.
PubMed: 38943163
DOI: 10.1186/s13741-024-00424-5 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Jun 2024Round-shoulder posture (RSP) is a common postural condition, characterized by protraction, downward rotation, anterior tilting and internal rotation of the scapula. RSP... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Round-shoulder posture (RSP) is a common postural condition, characterized by protraction, downward rotation, anterior tilting and internal rotation of the scapula. RSP can lead to shoulder dysfunction. Different methods have been proposed for rehabilitating and correcting the altered posture in RSP including stretching, strengthening exercises, and shoulder brace or taping. However, the findings are controversial and studies are ongoing to develop more effective method. The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of scapular posterior tilting (SPT) exercise in different support positions on scapular muscle activities in men and women with RSP. In a prospective observational clinical study, we assessed demographic, basic clinical parameters and study variables of the subjects with RSP (n = 20) (men/women = 9/11) attending Daegu University in Gyeongsan, South Korea. To do so, we compared electromyographic (EMG) activities of lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles between men and women with RSP during SPT exercise on four different support surfaces to determine any difference in the EMG activities. The results revealed that women showed significant differences in EMG activities in the lower and left upper trapezius and serratus anterior muscles, while men showed significant differences in EMG activity only in the lower trapezius muscle during SPT exercise on four different surfaces (P < 0.05). The post-hoc analysis revealed significantly greater EMG activity values in the lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles during SPT exercise on the upper body unstable surface and whole-body unstable surface (p < 0.05). Independent t-tests after the Bonferroni correction showed no significant differences in muscle activities between men and women on the four different surfaces (p > 0.0125).
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Scapula; Posture; Adult; Prospective Studies; Young Adult; Electromyography; Shoulder; Muscle, Skeletal; Exercise Therapy; Superficial Back Muscles; Exercise
PubMed: 38943153
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04810-z -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Jun 2024Pulmonary transit time (PTT) can be measured automatically from arterial input function (AIF) images of dual sequence first-pass perfusion imaging. PTT has been...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary transit time (PTT) can be measured automatically from arterial input function (AIF) images of dual sequence first-pass perfusion imaging. PTT has been validated against invasive cardiac catheterisation correlating with both cardiac output and left ventricular filling pressure (both important prognostic markers in heart failure). We hypothesized that prolonged PTT is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure.
METHODS
We recruited outpatients with a recent diagnosis of non-ischaemic heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% on referral echocardiogram. Patients were followed up by a review of medical records for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, ventricular arrhythmia, stroke or myocardial infarction. PTT was measured automatically from low-resolution AIF dynamic series of both the LV and RV during rest perfusion imaging, and the PTT was measured as the time (in seconds) between the centroid of the left (LV) and right ventricle (RV) indicator dilution curves.
RESULTS
Patients (N = 294) were followed-up for median 2.0 years during which 37 patients (12.6%) had at least one MACE event. On univariate Cox regression analysis there was a significant association between PTT and MACE (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.25, P = 0.0001). There was also significant association between PTT and heart failure hospitalisation (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.29, P = 0.02) and moderate correlation between PTT and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, r = 0.51, P < 0.001). PTT remained predictive of MACE after adjustment for clinical and imaging factors but was no longer significant once adjusted for NT-proBNP.
CONCLUSIONS
PTT measured automatically during CMR perfusion imaging in patients with recent onset non-ischaemic heart failure is predictive of MACE and in particular heart failure hospitalisation. PTT derived in this way may be a non-invasive marker of haemodynamic congestion in heart failure and future studies are required to establish if prolonged PTT identifies those who may warrant closer follow-up or medicine optimisation to reduce the risk of future adverse events.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Time Factors; Prognosis; Ventricular Function, Left; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging; Stroke Volume; Risk Factors; Pulmonary Circulation; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Peptide Fragments; Pulmonary Artery; Risk Assessment; Ventricular Function, Right; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 38943084
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-04003-w -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jun 2024Gallbladder volvulus is a rare surgical disease with clinical manifestations similar to acute acalculous cholecystitis. Diagnosing gallbladder volvulus is critical as...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Gallbladder volvulus is a rare surgical disease with clinical manifestations similar to acute acalculous cholecystitis. Diagnosing gallbladder volvulus is critical as delayed surgical intervention in gallbladder volvulus is associated with high morbidity and mortality.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 62-year-old male patient presented to our outpatient department for right upper quadrant pain of one-month duration. Taking into consideration the patient's clinical symptoms, laboratory results, and imaging findings, we diagnosed the patient with acute acalculous cholecystitis and started intravenous antibiotics. After 3 days, the clinical progress was unfavorable, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed, and the final diagnosis of gallbladder was done intraoperatively. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the second day after surgery.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
The cause of gallbladder volvulus may be related to abnormal embryological development, resulting in a long mesentery gallbladder and consequently leading to a floating gallbladder. Patients with gallbladder volvulus often do not exhibit specific signs, and the symptoms typically resemble those of acute acalculous cholecystitis. Once gallbladder volvulus is diagnosed, the surgical intervention must be conducted immediately.
CONCLUSION
Gallbladder volvulus is a relatively rare and challenging condition to diagnose. It should be considered in cases of acute acalculous cholecystitis, especially in elderly, thin patients who do not respond to antibiotic treatment. Cholecystectomy is the definitive treatment for gallbladder volvulus. In particular, laparoscopic surgery should be chosen initially.
PubMed: 38941732
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109955 -
Medicine Jun 2024Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, especially antisynthetase syndrome, often appear outside of the muscles as interstitial lung disease (ILD). Another typical finding... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, especially antisynthetase syndrome, often appear outside of the muscles as interstitial lung disease (ILD). Another typical finding is the presence of mechanic's hands. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical, functional, tomographic, and serological data of patients with ILD and mechanic's hands and their response to treatment and survival rates. This is a retrospective study of ILD with concurrent myopathy. Among the 119 patients initially selected, 51 had mechanic's hands. All the patients were screened for anti-Jo-1 antibodies. An expanded panel of myopathy autoantibodies was also performed in 27 individuals. Of the 51 patients, 35 had 1 or more antibodies. The most common were anti-Jo-1, anti-PL-7, and anti-PL-12, while of the associated antibodies, anti-Ro52 was present in 70% of the 27 tested individuals. A significant response to treatment was characterized by an increase in predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) of at least 5% in the last evaluation done after 6 to 24 months of treatment. A decrease in predicted FVC of at least 5%, the need for oxygen therapy, or death were all considered treatment failures. All patients were treated with corticosteroids, and 71% with mycophenolate. After 24 months, 18 patients had an increase in FVC, 11 had a decrease, and 22 remained stable. After a median follow-up of 58 months, 48 patients remained alive and three died. Patients with honeycombing on high-resolution chest tomography (log-rank = 34.65; P < .001) and a decrease in FVC ≥5% (log-rank = 18.28, P < .001) had a poorer survival rate. Patients with ILD and mechanic's hands respond well to immunosuppressive treatment.
Topics: Humans; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Retrospective Studies; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Myositis; Aged; Treatment Outcome; Adult; Autoantibodies; Outpatients; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 38941439
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038642 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024This study aims to investigate the correlation between breast cancer and autoimmune thyroid diseases.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the correlation between breast cancer and autoimmune thyroid diseases.
METHODS
A cross-sectional observational study enrolled 100 breast cancer patients at Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University from March 2020 to October 2021. Patients were categorized into benign and malignant groups based on tumor pathology. Additionally, 100 healthy female participants underwent physical examinations at the hospital's outpatient center during the same period as controls. The incidence of autoimmune thyroid diseases was assessed via B-type ultrasound, thyroxine level examination, and biopsy. Statistical analyses explored the relationship between autoimmune thyroid diseases and breast cancer.
RESULTS
The pathological type of the malignant group was more severe than that of the healthy group. Although the levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and free thyroxine (FT4) in the malignant group fell within the normal range, the concentrations of T3 and T4 in the malignant group were significantly lower than those in the benign and healthy groups. Additionally, the levels of FT4 and antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase [anti-TPO] and anti-thyroglobulin [anti-TG]) were significantly higher in the malignant group compared to the benign and healthy groups, demonstrating statistical significance (P < .05). Conversely, the concentrations of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the malignant group showed no statistical significance (P > .05). Furthermore, the levels of T3 and T4 did not correlate with the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the study group (P > .05). However, both hormone levels were lower in patients with negative HER-2 expression and those with lymph node metastasis (P > .05).
CONCLUSION
Autoimmune thyroid disease correlates with breast cancer occurrence. Thyroid hormone and autoantibody levels aid clinical monitoring and prognosis. Positive anti-TG and anti-TPO expressions, along with T3, T4, and FT4 alterations, impact patients.
PubMed: 38940788
DOI: No ID Found -
Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology Jun 2024The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a sign of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular diseases. The TyG index is thought to have clinical significance for the assessment... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a sign of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular diseases. The TyG index is thought to have clinical significance for the assessment of vascular damage. In this study we aimed to demonstrate the connection between the TyG index and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This case-control observational study involved 492 participants aged 40-90, admitted to the ophthalmology outpatient clinic of our hospital. TyG index was calculated using the formula: ln(fasting TG [mg/dL] × fasting plasma glucose [mg/dL]/2).
RESULTS
The RVO group included 387 patients (181 women and 206 men) and the control group included 115 patients (61 women and 54 men). The average patient age was 62.9±11.1 years in the RVO group and 56.7±8.7 years in the control group. The TyG index was higher in the RVO group (8.9±0.7) than in the control group (8.8±0.6). This difference was statistically significant (p=0.04). The correlation was statistically significant when evaluated according to age and sex by multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio: 1.45, confidence interval: 1.03- 2.02, p=0.03).
CONCLUSION
The TyG index is a novel atherogenicity index that is derived from routine blood tests and can be used to determine the risk of RVO in at-risk individuals with a simple calculation. Therefore, the TyG index could help as a reliable guide to identify individuals at RVO with high risk and initiate early intervention.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Retinal Vein Occlusion; Triglycerides; Aged; Blood Glucose; Atherosclerosis; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Risk Factors; Biomarkers; Aged, 80 and over; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38940357
DOI: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2024.69841 -
Journal of Medical Economics Jun 2024AimsWe aimed to describe the clinical, economic, and societal burdens of cystic fibrosis (CF) and impact of CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator (CFTRm)...
AimsWe aimed to describe the clinical, economic, and societal burdens of cystic fibrosis (CF) and impact of CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator (CFTRm) treatment on people with CF, caregivers, and healthcare systems.Material and MethodsThis retrospective study used linked real-world data from Swedish national population-based registries and the Swedish CF Quality Registry to assess clinical, economic, and societal burden and CFTR impact in CF. Records from people with CF and a ten-fold control population without CF matched by sex, birth year, and location were compared during 2019. Outcomes for a subset aged >6 years initiating lumacaftor/ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) in 2018 were compared 12 months pre- and post-treatment initiation.ResultsPeople with CF (n = 743) had >10 times more inpatient and outpatient specialist visits annually vs controls (n = 7406). Those aged >18 had an additional 77·7 (95% CI: 70·3, 85·1) days of work absence, at a societal cost of €11,563 (95% CI: 10,463, 12,662), while caregivers of those aged <18 missed an additional 6.1 (5.0, 7.2) workdays. With LUM/IVA treatment, people with CF (n = 100) had significantly increased lung function (mean change in ppFEV [3·8 points; 95% CI: 1·1, 6·6]), on average 0·5 (95% CI: -0·8, -0·2) fewer pulmonary exacerbations and 45·2 (95% CI: 13·3, 77·2) fewer days of antibiotics. Days of work lost by caregivers of people with CF aged <18 decreased by 5·4 days (95% CI: 2·9, 7·9).ConclusionCF is associated with a high clinical economic and societal burden in Sweden. Improvements in clinical status observed in people with CF treated with LUM/IVA were reflected in reduced caregiver and societal burden.
PubMed: 38939921
DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2373000 -
Psoriasis (Auckland, N.Z.) 2024Patients with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ), but healthcare resource use (HRU) and costs relating to HZ in...
PURPOSE
Patients with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ), but healthcare resource use (HRU) and costs relating to HZ in adults with PsA are unknown. We aimed to estimate the incidence of HZ among adults with PsA vs without psoriatic disease and the additional HRU and costs among patients with PsA with vs without HZ.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study estimated HZ incidence in PsA+ vs PsO-/PsA- cohorts and HRU and medical/pharmacy costs among PsA+/HZ+ vs PsA+/HZ- cohorts comprised of adults from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database during 2015-2020. For the HRU/cost analyses, index was the date of first HZ diagnosis (PsA+/HZ+ cohort) or was randomly assigned (PsA+/HZ- cohort). Generalized linear models were used for adjusted comparisons between cohorts.
RESULTS
HZ incidence was higher in the PsA+ (n = 57,126) vs PsO-/PsA- (n = 23,837,237) cohort (14.85 vs 7.67 per 1000 person-years; adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR]: 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-1.30). Numbers of outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and inpatient admissions were significantly higher in the PsA+/HZ+ (n = 1045) vs PsA+/HZ- (n = 36,091) cohorts during the first month after HZ diagnosis (outpatient: aIRR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.63-1.86; emergency department: 3.14; 95% CI: 2.46-4.02; inpatient: aIRR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.89-3.61). Mean all-cause per-patient costs were significantly higher in the PsA+/HZ+ vs PsA+/HZ- cohorts during the first month after index ($6493 vs $4521; adjusted cost difference: $2012; 95% CI: $1204-$3007). HRU and costs were numerically higher in the PsA+/HZ+ cohort during the first 3 and 12 months.
CONCLUSION
These findings, which provide evidence on the increased incidence and HRU and economic burden associated with HZ among adults with PsA, could be used to inform clinical practice and decision-making.
PubMed: 38939905
DOI: 10.2147/PTT.S430151 -
Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Apr 2024High-quality prescription (HQP) which is a key player in optimal blood pressure control reflects good prescribing process and thus quality health care.
BACKGROUND
High-quality prescription (HQP) which is a key player in optimal blood pressure control reflects good prescribing process and thus quality health care.
AIMS
To determine quality of prescription and its correlates in patients with hypertension attending a secondary health facility in Ibadan, Nigeria.
METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional hospital-based study among 347 known hypertensive patients attending the Medical Outpatient clinic of Jericho Specialist hospital, Ibadan. Quality of prescription was determined using prescription quality index (PQI) tool and it was categorized into high, medium and low-quality prescriptions. The respondents were recruited using a simple random sampling technique (computer generated random number). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 2020. Mean, standard deviation, Chi-square and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis and level of significant was set at <0.05.
RESULTS
The mean (PQI) was 31.4±5.6; less than half of the patients 163 (47.3%) had low PQI, while medium and high PQI was found in 41(11.8%) and 143 (41.2%) patients respectively. There was a significant difference in the quality of prescriptions between male and female hypertensive patients (χ=15.85, p-value<0.0001). Two-thirds of the patients, 229(66.0%) experienced associated health problems and this was significantly inversely correlated with prescription quality (r=-0.33, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The study revealed marginally low quality of prescription, statistically significant poor-quality prescription among the male patients and higher number of comorbidities significantly correlated negatively with prescribing quality. Thus, to comply with high quality prescriptions, combined medications among hypertensive patients with comorbidities should be used cautiously.
PubMed: 38939892
DOI: No ID Found