Potential determinants of unfavourable healthcare utilisation trajectories during the last year of life of people with incident Alzheimer Disease or Related Syndromes: a nationwide cohort study using administrative data.

BACKGROUND: people approaching the end-of-life frequently face inappropriate care. With Alzheimer Disease or Related Syndromes (ADRS), end-of-life is characterised by progressive decline, but this period remains difficult to identify. This leads to a lack of anticipation and sometimes with unfavourable healthcare utilisation trajectories (HUTs). OBJECTIVE: to quantify unfavourable HUTs during the last year of life and identify their potential determinants in both community and nursing-home settings. DESIGN: nationwide cohort study using administrative database. SETTING: French community and nursing-home residents. SUBJECTS: incident ADRS people identified in 2012, who died up to 31 December 2017. METHODS: we used multidimensional clustering to identify 15 clusters of HUTs, using 11 longitudinal healthcare dimensions during the last year of life. Clusters were qualitatively assessed by pluri-disciplinary experts as favourable or unfavourable HUTs. Individual and contextual potential determinants of unfavourable HUTs were studied by setting using logistic random-effect regression models. RESULTS: 62,243 individuals died before 31 December 2017; 46.8% faced unfavourable end-of-life HUTs: 55.2% in the community and 31.8% in nursing-homes. Individual potential determinants were identified: younger age, male gender, ADRS identification through hospitalisation, shorter survival, life-limiting comorbidities, psychiatric disorders, acute hospitalisations and polypharmacy. In the community, deprivation and autonomy were identified as potential determinants. Contextual potential determinants raised mostly in the community, such as low nurse or physiotherapist accessibilities. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of people with ADRS faced unfavourable HUTs during their last year of life. Individual potential determinants should help anticipate advance care planning and palliative care needs assessment. Contextual potential determinants suggest geographical disparities and health inequalities.

Developing and Testing a Local Expert-Based Reading Process for Use to Examine Discrepancies Between Guidelines and Current Clinical Practices.

The use of relevant guidelines is critical in psychiatric clinical practice to ensure the homogeneity of the global care provided. Consequently, it is important to identify whether they are utilized successfully and, if not, why. This would enable pragmatic solutions to be agreed to improve the organization of care and the removal of any barriers to the guidelines' implementation. The first step in this process, before any exploration of the limitations of the guidelines themselves, involves a determination of whether they are actually applied in clinical practice. We therefore evaluated discrepancies between the guidelines relating to patients with borderline personality disorder and current practices in the psychiatric Emergency Department at Toulouse University Hospital. This was achieved using a reading process involving a panel of eight local experts who analyzed relevant medical files extracted from a database. They were guided by, and instructed to answer, six standardized questions in relation to each file to determine the method's feasibility. A total of 333 files were analyzed to determine whether, in the local experts' judgment, the care provided reflected current guidance. This reading process revealed substantial agreement (0.85%; Fleiss Kappa -0.69), which is a promising outcome and suggests that such methods could be used in future protocols. Moreover, the process is practical and reliable and requires very few materials.

Development and Validation of a Model to Identify Alzheimer's Disease and Related Syndromes in Administrative Data.

BACKGROUND: Administrative data are used in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Syndromes (ADRS), however their performance to identify ADRS is unknown. OBJECTIVE: i) To develop and validate a model to identify ADRS prevalent cases in French administrative data (SNDS), ii) to identify factors associated with false negatives. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of subjects ≥ 65 years, living in South-Western France, who attended a memory clinic between April and December 2013. Gold standard for ADRS diagnosis was the memory clinic specialized diagnosis. Memory clinics' data were matched to administrative data (drug reimbursements, diagnoses during hospitalizations, registration with costly chronic conditions). Prediction models were developed for 1-year and 3-year periods of administrative data using multivariable logistic regression models. Overall model performance, discrimination, and calibration were estimated and corrected for optimism by resampling. Youden index was used to define ADRS positivity and to estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative probabilities. Factors associated with false negatives were identified using multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: 3360 subjects were studied, 52% diagnosed with ADRS by memory clinics. Prediction model based on age, all-cause hospitalization, registration with ADRS as a chronic condition, number of anti-dementia drugs, mention of ADRS during hospitalizations had good discriminative performance (c-statistic: 0.814, sensitivity: 76.0%, specificity: 74.2% for 2013 data). 419 false negatives (24.0%) were younger, had more often ADRS types other than Alzheimer's disease, moderate forms of ADRS, recent diagnosis, and suffered from other comorbidities than true positives. CONCLUSION: Administrative data presented acceptable performance for detecting ADRS. External validation studies should be encouraged.

Induction of labor at term with vaginal misoprostol or a prostaglandin E2 pessary: a noninferiority randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Induction of labor is among the most common procedures for pregnant women. Only a few randomized clinical trials with relatively small samples have compared misoprostol with dinoprostone. Although their efficacy seems similar, their safety profiles have not been adequately evaluated, and economic data are sparse. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the noninferiority of vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin E1) (25 µg) to a slow-release dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2) pessary (10 µg) for induction of labor with an unfavorable cervix at term. STUDY DESIGN: This was an open-label multicenter randomized noninferiority trial at 4 university hospitals of the Research Group in Obstetrics and Gynecology between 2012 and 2015. We recruited women who underwent induction of labor for medical reasons, those with a Bishop score of ≤5 at ≥36 weeks' gestation, and those with a cephalic-presenting singleton pregnancy with no previous cesarean delivery. Women were randomly allocated to receive either vaginal misoprostol at 4-hour intervals (25 µg) or a 10-mg slow-release dinoprostone pessary. The primary outcome was the total cesarean delivery rate. Noninferiority was defined as a difference in the cesarean delivery rates between the groups of no more than 5%. Secondary outcomes included neonatal and maternal morbidity, vaginal delivery at <24 hours after starting the induction of labor process, and maternal satisfaction. RESULTS: The study included 1674 randomized women. The per-protocol analysis included 790 women in each group. The total cesarean delivery rates were 22.1% (n=175) in the misoprostol group and 19.9% (n=157) in the dinoprostone group, a difference of 2.2% (with an upper-bound 95% confidence limit of 5.6%) (P=.092). Results in the intention-to-treat analysis were similar. Neonatal and maternal morbidity rates were similar between groups. Vaginal delivery within 24 hours was significantly higher in the misoprostol group (59.3% vs 45.7%; P<.001) as was maternal satisfaction, assessed in the postpartum period by a visual analog scale (mean score, 7.1±2.4 vs 5.8±3.1; P<.001). CONCLUSION: The noninferiority of a 25-µg dose of vaginal misoprostol every 4 hours to the dinoprostone pessary for cesarean delivery rates after induction of labor at term could not be demonstrated, although the confidence limit of the difference barely exceeded the noninferiority margin. Nonetheless, given the small difference between these cesarean delivery rates and the similarity of neonatal and maternal morbidity rates in this large study, the clinical risk-to-benefit ratio justifies the use of both drugs.

Abnormalities in distal first metatarsal joint surface orientation: Distal Metatarsal Articular Angle and Distal Metatarsal-2 Articular Angle.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus (HV) in adults is an acquired pathology related to 1st metatarsal (M1) abduction. In children, it is related to abnormal M1 joint surface orientation. HYPOTHESIS: HV deformities in children and adults differ. OBJECTIVE: Descriptive study of radiologic abnormalities in a pediatric population of symptomatic HV, with comparison to a population without symptomatic HV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Weight-bearing X-rays were studied in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for HV and in a control population. Measurements comprised M1P1, M1M2, DMAA, DM2AA, MPAA, and sesamoid subluxation index. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (42 feet) were included in the HV group, and 16 patients (29 feet) in the control group. Mean age was 13 years in both. Interobserver reproducibility was excellent for M1P1, and good for M1M2, DMAA and DM2AA. In HV, 71% of feet showed M1M2 angle>12° and 98% DMAA>10°; DM2AA was>0°, except in 1 foot. DISCUSSION: Normal values are the same in children and adults: M1P1<15°, DMAA<10° and M1M2<12°. In the HV group, DMAA was systematically pathological, while M1M2 was pathological in only 71% of cases. Childhood HV is related to abnormal DMAA, sometimes associated with increased M1M2 angle, especially in severe forms. DM2AA assesses distal M1 joint surface orientation with respect to the M2 axis; in the HV group, it was systematically>0° (except in 1 foot). Thus, in case of concomitant DMAA and M1M2 abnormalities, DMAA is more severely abnormal than M1M2 (DM2AA=DMAA-M1M2). CONCLUSION: Childhood HV is mainly due to abnormal M1 joint surface orientation, sometimes associated with increased 1st metatarsal abduction. DM2AA reflects the balance between 1st metatarsal abduction and M1 joint surface orientation abnormality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Monitoring adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by measuring ribs prominence using surface topography device.

Due to the danger of repeated exposure to X-rays for patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), reducing the number of radiographs is necessary. By using Surface Topography (ST), trunk asymmetry evaluation could be used. The number of radiographs required can be reduced by 30% when the radio is used only for patients with worsening ST. HYPOTHESIS: ST is a reliable technique for deformity monitoring in AIS. DESIGN: Observational prospective study. INTRODUCTION: The risk of curve progression in AIS is high during a growth spurt and necessitates regular radiographic follow-up, despite the adverse effects of repeated exposure to X-rays. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine a simple and reproducible parameter for deformity monitoring using ST in AIS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive AIS patients with a Cobb angle between 10° and 40° were included. Every 6 months, X-ray and ST acquisitions were performed. Radiographic parameters and the ribs prominence curve calculated from ST were collected. This curve was deduced from the axial rotation of the 100 axial sections of the trunk. We analyzed correlations between the evolution of Cobb angle and the curve. RESULTS: 123 patients were included, 111 girls, 12 boys, mean age 12 years. The measurement of the curve had a good reproducibility (ICC: 0.816). ST differentiated patients with or without increased Cobb. (p = 0.0294). CONCLUSION: ST is useful for monitoring AIS. This device could reduce the number of radiographs by 30%. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Clustering 5-Year Multidimensional Health Care Trajectory Patterns in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: After diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes (ADRS), personalized care adapted to each patient's needs is recommended to provide a care plan and start symptomatic treatments according to guidelines. Over the past decade, dedicated structures and care have been implemented in various settings. Equal access to ADRS care, health care providers and services is crucial to ensure potential health benefits for everyone. However, the extent of use of recommended services and favorable health care utilization trajectories (HUT) may vary according to individual and contextual characteristics. The aim of this article was to (1) describe HUT patterns after multidimensional clustering of similar trajectories, (2) assess the proportion of individuals presenting favorable HUTs, and (3) identify factors associated with favorable HUTs. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 103,317 people newly diagnosed with ADRS identified in the French health reimbursement system (SNDS) was followed for 5 years with their monthly utilization on 11 health care dimensions. METHODS: For 3 age groups (65-74, 75-84, ≥85 years), 15 clusters of patients were identified using partitioning around medoids applied to Levenshtein distances. They were qualitatively assessed by pluridisciplinary experts. Individual and contextual determinants of clusters denoting favorable trajectories were identified using mixed random effects multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Clusters with favorable HUTs denoting slow, progressive trajectories centered on at-home care, represented approximatively 25% of the patients. Determinants of favorable HUTs were mostly individual (age, female gender, absence of certain comorbidities, circumstances of ADRS identification, lower deprivation). Contextual determinants were also identified, in particular accessibility to nurses and nursing homes. Inter-territories variance was small but significant in all age groups (from 0.9% to 1.8%). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Favorable HUTs remain the minority and many efforts can still be made to improve HUTs. Qualitative studies could help understanding underlying barriers to favorable HUTs.

How to assess patient satisfaction regarding physician interaction: A systematic review.

Patient satisfaction is an important health care quality indicator. This is particularly relevant in chronic diseases, such as, many dermatological diseases. The purpose of the current systematic review was to assess the validated tools measuring patient satisfaction with physician interaction. We performed a systematic review search in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. The psychometric properties of the instruments and the domains explored were assessed. Overall, 2229 articles were extracted from the literature search. Of these, 146 articles were eligible for inclusion, 55 were included, and 22 scores were selected. A total of 13 instruments reported cross-cultural validation and the EUROPEP score highlighted the most diverse cross-cultural validation involving 11 different countries. All scores were assessed for content validity, construct validity, factor analysis, reliability, and responsiveness to change. The extent of the validation varied between scores with a few assessing practicability. The following domains were explored: listening skills, empathy, caring/compassion, confidentiality, honesty, behavior, competency/technical skills, satisfaction with the information provided, time given, availability, the environment, trust in the physician, ability to comply with the recommendations, and readiness to recommend the physician to other patients. We identified a total of 22 validated instruments. The major gaps in the validation process appear to be the practicability of the scores and the cross-cultural validation. Major domains evaluated by the scores are communication skills that can be improved by specific training. There is a need to improve evaluation of the quality of the patient-physician relationship in dermatology using validated instruments.

MRI evaluation of the hydration status of non-pathological lumbar intervertebral discs in a pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION: The intervertebral disc (IVD) is made up of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and the nucleus pulposus (NP) - an inert hydrated complex. The ability of the IVD to deform is correlated to that of the NP and depends on its hydration. As the IVD ages, its hydration decreases along with its ability to deform. In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, one of the etiological hypotheses pertains to the IVD, thus making its condition relevant for the diagnosis and monitoring of this pathology. HYPOTHESIS: IVD hydration depends on sex, age and spine level in an asymptomatic pediatric population. The corollary is data on a control group of healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 98 subjects with normal spine MRI was enrolled; their mean age was 13.3 years. The disc volume and hydration of each IVD was evaluated on T2-weighted MRI sequences, using previously validated image processing software. This evaluation focused on the lumbar spine, from the thoracolumbar junction to the lumbosacral junction. It was assumed that IVD hydration was related to the ratio of NP and AF volumes. A mixed multivariate linear analysis was used to explore the impact of age, sex and spinal level on disc hydration. RESULTS: Disc hydration was higher overall in boys than in girls, but this difference was not significant. Hydration increased with age by +0.005 for each additional year (p=0.0213). Disc hydration appears to be higher at the thoracolumbar junction than the lumbar spine, although this difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: Through this MRI study, we established a database of non-pathological lumbar disc hydration as a function of age, sex and spinal segment along with 95% confidence intervals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Evidence of practice gaps in emergency psychiatric care for borderline personality disorder: how can this be explained?

BACKGROUND: Recent research has highlighted that patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) could experience symptomatic remissions. This led to the production of guidelines concerning the most appropriate care. In addition, as BPD patients frequently present at an emergency department (ED), specific recommendations concerning how they should be cared for there have also been developed. The recommendations include the referral of patients to inpatient, outpatient or specific crisis care. However, an issue that has not been addressed is the capacity of ED services to apply the care recommendations. The objective of our study, therefore, was to identify the factors limiting their use in the ED of Toulouse University Hospital. METHODS: A panel of psychiatrists specializing in BPD care examined the medical files of 298 patients with a BPD diagnosis to determine which referrals were consistent or not, according to the care recommendations. A logistic regression was then performed to identify which sociodemographic, clinical, organizational or professional-training factors were associated with inconsistent referrals. RESULTS: 32% of patients experienced an inconsistent referral. Consultations performed during an on-call or day-off schedule were linked with inconsistent referrals, while an active follow-up was associated with the provision of consistent care. CONCLUSION: Changing how evaluations of BPD patients in the ED are organized during on-call and day-off schedules could improve the application of the care recommendations regarding the most appropriate referrals.

Benzodiazepine exposure in subjects with incident Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes in France: a longitudinal study 2011-2017.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used for behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia, despite their numerous adverse effects and the lack of evidence regarding their efficacy in this context. We studied longitudinal benzodiazepines exposure in incident cases of Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes (ADRS) in France. We used a cohort of incident ADRS patients identified in 2012 within the national health data system. Benzodiazepines exposure was measured 1 year before, to 5 years after ADRS identification. Quarterly benzodiazepines prevalence and incidence were computed. We identified factors associated with long half-life benzodiazepines initiation. A total of 106 508 subjects were included. Quarterly benzodiazepines prevalence was stable (around 25%) but we saw an important decrease in long half-life benzodiazepines compensated by an increase in short half-life benzodiazepines. In most benzodiazepine initiations, the first episode lasted less than 3 months. Factors associated with initiating a long half-life benzodiazepine were young age, male gender, no registration with ADRS as a long-term disease, having consulted an ADRS specialist, antipsychotic reimbursement before the index date, no admission in nursing home. Prevalence of benzodiazepines use remains high in subjects with ADRS despite guidelines for their avoidance. However, indicators regarding benzodiazepine initiations (duration, benzodiazepine type) suggest some caution in their use.

Benzodiazepine Dispensing to Persons With Dementia in France, 2011-2016: A Nationwide Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study temporal trends of benzodiazepine exposure among incident Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) cohorts between 2011 and 2016. DESIGN: Repeated cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Three nationwide incident ADRD cohorts (community-dwelling and institutionalized subjects) were identified in 2011, 2013, and 2016 through the French health insurance database. Subjects were followed 4 semesters around ADRD identification [Semester -2 (S-2) to Semester 2 (S2)]. MEASURES: Odds ratios (ORs) for semestrial prevalent exposure, initiation, and adherence to benzodiazepine prescription recommendations (prescription duration <3 months, single reimbursement) were computed using multivariate logistic regressions for each cohort and according to benzodiazepine half-life. RESULTS: Among 262,024 community-dwelling subjects, as compared to 2011, overall benzodiazepine prevalence risk decreased slightly immediately after ADRD identification [S1: aOR2013 = 0.93 (0.91-0.95), aOR2016 = 0.95 (0.93-0.97)] and did not differ during S2. Among 72,013 institutionalized subjects, it increased over time [S2: aOR2013 = 1.16 (1.11-1.21), aOR2016 = 1.26 (1.21-1.32)]. Long half-life benzodiazepine prevalence risk decreased in the 4 semesters among recent cohorts, for both populations [S2: community-dwelling: aOR2013 = 0.77 (0.74-0.79), aOR2016 = 0.61 (0.59-0.64); institutionalized: aOR2013 = 0.74 (0.68-0.80), aOR2016 = 0.58 (0.54-0.63)]. Short half-life benzodiazepine prevalence risk increased [S2: community-dwelling: aOR2013 = 1.13 (1.10-1.16), aOR2016 = 1.22 (1.20-1.25); institutionalized: aOR2013 = 1.26 (1.21-1.32), aOR2016 = 1.44 (1.38-1.50)]. The same patterns were observed for benzodiazepine initiation. Adherence to benzodiazepine prescription recommendations (based on French prescription duration) worsened over years [prescription duration <3 months: aOR2013 = 0.90 (0.86-0.95), aOR2016 = 0.90 (0.85-0.95), single reimbursement: aOR2013 = 0.95 (0.91-1.00), aOR2016 = 0.94 (0.90-0.99)]. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Long half-life benzodiazepine exposure was reduced whereas short half-life benzodiazepine exposure increased, and adherence to recommendations worsened (prescription duration longer than 3 months and more than a single reimbursement in recent cohorts). Efforts from prescribers and authorities are required in order to restrict psychotropic exposure among the ADRD population. Further research among institutionalized ADRD subjects could provide useful data to disentangle the effects of changes in prescribing practices and in patients' characteristics.

Omalizumab in the treatment of adult patients with mastocytosis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mastocytosis is associated with mast cell (MC) mediator-related symptoms for which limited therapies are available. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in the treatment of MC mediator-related symptoms in adult patients with mastocytosis. RESULTS: We identified one multi-centre retrospective cohort study (39 patients), one retrospective cohort study (13 patients), 4 case series and 10 case reports. No published controlled randomized study was identified. We included 69 patients (13 patients with cutaneous mastocytosis and 56 with systemic mastocytosis). The mean age was 48 years. Omalizumab maintenance dose was 300 mg for the majority of patients. The mean duration of treatment was 17 months. Treatment led to a tolerability of venom immunotherapy and to a complete resolution of severe reactions in all patients with post-honeybee sting anaphylaxis. Complete resolution of idiopathic anaphylaxis episodes was noted in 84% of the patients. Complete resolution of palpitations, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, neuropsychiatric, respiratory and musculoskeletal symptoms was observed at a rate of 43%, 29%, 27%, 11%, 9% and 0%, respectively. Efficacy was maintained for the entire duration of the treatment in all but four responders. Adverse events were reported for 13 patients. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Omalizumab appears to prevent some life-threatening reactions associated with mastocytosis and may be a good option to treat the associated symptoms. However, the evidence relied upon is observational, uncontrolled and from a small number of patients. A randomized controlled trial is needed to better understand the place of omalizumab in mastocytosis treatment.

Suicide Attempts: How Does the Acute Use of Alcohol Affect Suicide Intent?

BACKGROUND: Very few studies have specifically addressed the role of the acute use of alcohol (AUA) in suicide attempts. OBJECTIVE: Our study compared the suicide intent scores of self-poisoning patients with and without AUA in order to examine the role of alcohol in attempted suicides. METHODS: We recruited 516 patients admitted to the emergency department for self-poisoning. We screened blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) to determine whether these were positive or negative in the two groups. We collected data about covariates such as psychiatric disorders and sociodemographic and suicide characteristics. We then compared suicide intent between the groups, adjusted according to the covariates. RESULTS: The patients with AUA had lower scores for suicide intent, but this factor only reduced the self-reporting score, with the scores for objective circumstances and risk similar between the groups. There was a correlation between BACs and self-reported suicide intentionality, but this was not significant. CONCLUSION: Acute use of alcohol patients presented with lower suicide intent, as particularly explained by the self-report scores, but there were no differences between the groups in terms of risk and/or the objective circumstances. The role of alcohol in the self-reporting of suicide attempts must be addressed in future studies.

The specific branches leading to the genioglossus muscle: three-dimensional localisation using skin reference points.

INTRODUCTION: Supra-selective stimulation of the branches destined for the horizontal part of genioglossus muscle (GGh) could be a target of choice in the treatment of mild-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The main aim of our study was to assess a percutaneous method for the three-dimensional localisation of the terminal branches destined to GGh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty cadaveric hypoglossal nerves were dissected and included in the injection protocol. The distance between the posterior edge of the mandibular symphysis and the hyoid bone on the sagittal midline as the approximated distance of the geniohyoid muscle (dGH) was measured before any dissection. Methylene blue mixed with a thickening agent, was injected. The injection point was defined in relation to dGH, in an orthonormal coordinate system. For each dissection, we recorded the theoretical and the real (X, Y, Z) coordinates of GGh motor points and measured their distance to each other. RESULTS: X was accurately estimated. Y and Z were overestimated by + 5.34 ± 5.21 mm ([Formula: see text]) and + 4.79 ± 3.99 mm ([Formula: see text]) on average, respectively. We found a more significant difference between the theoretical and real Y and Z coordinates in the subgroup BMI < 25 kg/m2 (8.6 ± 4.5 mm and 6.9 ± 2.5 mm, respectively, p = 0.0009), and of Z in subgroup with dGH ≥ 50 mm (6.89 ± 3.26 mm, p = 0.0494). CONCLUSIONS: X can be estimated accurately using the relationship [Formula: see text]. Y seems to be related to BMI and Z may be estimated with the relationship [Formula: see text]. This three-dimensional localisation could be very helpful to facilitate placement of cuff electrodes to manage refractory sleep apnea.

The Prevalence of Hepatitis E in a Patient Cohort Presenting With Addictive Injection Behavior.

Introduction: Hepatitis E is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Seroprevalence is approximately 15% in developed countries, and 22% in France. hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be transmitted via transfusions and therefore possibly intravenous (IV) drug use. Hepatitis E serology is routinely tested in patients who seek medical advice for addictive injection behavior at the addiction treatment, support and prevention unit of Toulouse University Hospital. We assume that hepatitis E is more prevalent in patients presenting with addictive injection behavior than in the general French population. Methods: Hepatitis E serological assays [immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG] were carried out for all patients presenting with addictive injection behavior during an initial evaluation. The controls were taken from a cohort of 3,353 blood donors living in southern France and who donated blood during the first 2 weeks of October 2011. Results: We included 52 patients presenting with addictive injection behavior and 103 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and area of residence. We found no difference between patients and controls for the prevalence of hepatitis E: patients vs. healthy controls: positive IgGs: 42.31%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (28.73-56.80%) vs. 43.43%, 95% CI (33.50-53.77%) (p = 0.89) and positive IgMs: 3.85%, 95% CI (0.47-13.22%) vs. 4.85%, 95% CI (0.16-10.97%) (p = 0.57). Conclusion: There was no difference in HEV seroprevalence between IV drug users and the general population, suggesting that the IV route of HEV infection is not significant in this population.

Association between anticholinergic (atropinic) drug exposure and cognitive function in longitudinal studies among individuals over 50 years old: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: With increasing age, adults are often exposed to anticholinergic drugs and are prone to potential adverse drug reaction, among which cognitive impairment. If the short-term cognitive effects of anticholinergic drugs are well established, their long-term cognitive effects have less been studied. OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic review of longitudinal studies which assessed the effect of anticholinergic exposure on cognition in individuals over 50 years. MATERIALS: We searched the MEDLINE database for studies with a minimal 6-month follow-up, assessing anticholinergic exposure through a biological measure or a clinical list and reporting at least one cognitive outcome. We used the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale and additional criteria regarding the anticholinergic exposure to assess studies' methodological quality. Given the heterogeneity of the studies, we performed a systematic review. RESULTS: Among the 1574 references retrieved, 25 studies were included. Anticholinergic medications were mostly defined through the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (n = 14/25). Six studies evaluated baseline drug collection, 14 used longitudinal aggregated measure, and 5 multiple drug exposure measures over time. Seventeen studies assessed anticholinergic burden. Cognitive function was assessed by mild cognitive impairment/dementia incidence (n = 15) or neuropsychological tests (n = 14). Most studies were of poor quality and retrieved discordant results. However, studies with good quality (n = 4) suggested a relationship between anticholinergic drug exposure and/or burden and cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Our review suggests a deleterious effect of anticholinergic exposure on mid/long-term cognitive function but should be confirmed in studies with improved methodology. Meanwhile, prescription of anticholinergic drugs should remain cautious.

Symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress in a group of lightning strike victims.

INTRODUCTION: Lightning strike victims often suffer repercussions. Although a lightning strike constitutes a severe traumatic event, there is a lack of data about potential psychological sequelae. This is precisely the context in which we assessed the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in a group of lightning strike victims. METHODS: The symptoms of peritraumatic dissociation were evaluated on the basis of the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ) whilst the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) was used to assess symptoms of distress. PTSD and MDE diagnoses were evaluated using the MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). Symptom intensity was assessed using the self-report PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCLS) and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II), respectively. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. As regards symptoms of depression, 28 patients (57.1%) reported a major depressive episode (MINI) including 10 (20.4%) of moderate intensity and 5 (10.2%) of severe intensity (BDI). In terms of PTSD symptoms, 13 patients (26.5%) reported probable PTSD (MINI) with a PCL-S score ≥ 45. A significant correlation was established between PDEQ and BDI II (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.36, p = .012). A significant correlation was also found between PDI and PCLS (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.43, p = .002). A further significant correlation was noted between PDEQ and PCLS (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.31, p = .028). DISCUSSION: This study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary evaluation of lightning strike victims. Indeed, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders such as PTSD and MDE appears to be significant.

Anticholinergic exposure and cognitive decline in older adults: effect of anticholinergic exposure definitions in a 3-year analysis of the multidomain Alzheimer preventive trial (MAPT) study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the association between anticholinergic (atropinic) burden and cognitive decline in older adults over the course of 3 years. METHODS: We used data from Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT) study participants aged ≥70 years and at risk of cognitive decline. Cognitive function was assessed with a composite score [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) orientation, Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test, Category Naming Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test] at 12, 24 and 36 months. Participants declining by more than 0.236 points on the composite score (representing the lowest quintile of 1-year cognitive change) during any 1-year period were considered to have undergone cognitive decline. Anticholinergic exposure was defined by four methods for each of four anticholinergic scales (Anticholinergic Drug Scale, Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden, Anticholinergic Risk Scale, the Durán list). The association between cognitive decline and time-varying anticholinergic exposure [primary analysis using the Durán list and maximal anticholinergic score (0, 1 or 3)] was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Other cognitive decline definitions were used in sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: At baseline, among 1396 patients included, 7.4-23.5% were exposed to anticholinergic agents, depending on the anticholinergic scale used. Sixty-four per cent of participants experienced cognitive decline during follow-up. Regardless of the anticholinergic scale/exposure measurement used, no significant association was observed with cognitive decline {primary analysis: compared with non-anticholinergic agent users, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.95, 1.38] for anticholinergic score = 1; HR = 0.92 [95% CI = 0.65, 1.30] for score = 3}. Results were stable in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: We found no significant association between anticholinergic exposure and cognitive decline in older adults using anticholinergic scales and definitions of exposure.

Diabetes Care and Dementia Among Older Adults: A Nationwide 3-Year Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare diabetes monitoring and the incidence of acute diabetic complications between patients with and without incident Alzheimer's Disease and Related Syndromes (ADRS). DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study from 2010 to 2014. SETTING: Data from the French national health system database. PARTICIPANTS: The France-Démence cohort: individuals aged 65 years or older suffering from incident ADRS, based on long-term disease registry, hospitalization for dementia, or antidementia drug delivery. They were matched (1:1) to a pair free of ADRS on age, sex, residence area, and insurance scheme. This study included France-Démence population with known diabetes for at least 2 years. MEASUREMENTS: Data related to diabetes control and complications: biological monitoring such as glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, ≥1/y, ≥2/y), lipid profile, microalbuminuria; eye examination; hospitalization for diabetes-related complications such as coma with ketoacidosis; and hospitalization for hypoglycemia were studied between the year prior to ADRS identification (Y-1) and the 2 following years (Y0; Y1). Incidences between the 2 groups (ADRS/non-ADRS) were compared using age-standardized incidence ratios (SIR). RESULTS: The studied population included 87,816 individuals. HbA1c determination was less frequent in ADRS group, no matter the study period and the minimal annual threshold used. Respectively, 82.6% and 88.5% of ADRS and non-ADRS group had at least 1 HbA1c testing during Y-1 [SIR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-0.95], 73.4% and 89.0% during Y0 (SIR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.82-0.84), and 75.4% and 89.3% during Y1 (SIR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.83‒0.86). Subjects with ADRS were also consistently more hospitalized than non-ADRS peers. The gap was maximal in the year following the diagnosis, as observed for hospitalizations for any cause related to diabetes (SIR Y-1: 2.04, Y0: 3.14, Y1: 1.67), diabetes mellitus with coma (SIR Y-1: 3.84, Y0: 9.30, Y1: 3.06), and hypoglycemia (SIR Y-1: 4.20, Y0: 5.25, Y1: 2.27). CONCLUSIONS: Incident ADRS is associated with a less frequent diabetes monitoring and an increased risk of diabetes complications compared with older people without ADRS. Our study questions healthcare quality offered to participants with ADRS in comorbidity control. Further investigations are required to explain the mechanisms underlying our results and to propose actions to improve care of patients with ADRS.