Risk of hospitalization during influenza season among a cohort of patients with congestive heart failure.

It is uncertain whether hospitalization among patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) increases during the influenza season. This retrospective cohort study used influenza surveillance data from the United States (1986-1987 to 1990-1991), clinical information from the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) database, and daily temperature data from the National Climatic Data Center to assess the effect of influenza season on hospitalizations in this cohort of patients. The overall hospitalization rate was higher during influenza seasons compared to non-influenza seasons [relative risk (RR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.16]. Multivariable Cox modelling revealed an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.11 for hospitalization during the influenza season (95% CI 1.03-1.20, P=0.005). Overall death rates were also higher during influenza seasons than non-influenza seasons (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.97-1.21), but the corresponding adjusted HR for death was not significant (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.98-1.24, P=0.11). Patients with CHF have a greater risk of hospitalization during the influenza season than in the non-influenza season, supporting the current belief that patients with CHF should be regarded as a high-risk group.

Evaluation of salivary antibodies to detect infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori infection is an important cause of peptic ulcer disease and chronic gastritis. Infection with this bacterium stimulates the production of immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody. Salivary IgG antibody tests to detect H pylori infection offer a convenient and noninvasive method of diagnosis. To evaluate an IgG salivary antibody kit, saliva was collected from 157 out-patients with dyspepsia referred for endoscopy to a tertiary centre. A salivary IgG ELISA antibody assay was performed using the Helisal Helicobacter pylori (IgG) assay kit, and at least four gastric biopsies were obtained. H pylori infection was confirmed by demonstration of the organism on Warthin-Starry silver stain (sensitivity 85%, specificity 55%). The prevalence of infection with H pylori was 30%. When the analysis was redone, excluding those treated with eradication therapy, the results were similar (sensitivity 86%, specificity 58%). The positive predictive value of the assay was 45% and the negative predictive value was 90%. Despite the ease of sampling, the assay used has limited diagnostic utility, lacking the predictive value to indicate which patients referred with dyspeptic symptoms to a tertiary care setting are infected with H pylori.

A randomized trial of surgical scrubbing with a brush compared to antiseptic soap alone.

BACKGROUND: The difference between use of a scrub brush versus soap alone in reducing hand bacterial counts has never been established by a prospective, comparative study. METHODS: Fifteen volunteers were taught the 5-minute surgical scrub. Baseline specimens were obtained by the glove fluid sampling procedure. Subjects were randomized to (1) scrub with an inert scrub brush and 4% chlorhexidine soap with isopropyl alcohol or (2) wash with 4% chlorhexidine soap with isopropyl alcohol alone. Specimens were obtained immediately after the scrub was completed and 45 minutes later. The experiment was repeated by use of a cross-over design after a 1-week washout period. The data were analyzed by three methods that took into account the broad range of baseline hand counts (5 x 10(1) to 11.2 x 10(4): method 1, the discordance between presence/absence of hand bacterial counts within individuals at 45 minutes for soap versus soap and brush; method 2, the absolute reduction of bacteria (baseline vs 45 min.) for soap versus soap and brush; and method 3, the proportional change in bacterial counts at 45 minutes from baseline for soap versus soap and brush. RESULTS: Although there was no statistically significant difference for any method, the point estimates for the odds ratio (OR) showed that up to twice the number of subjects had a greater reduction in bacterial counts when they washed with soap than when they scrubbed with a brush, as evidenced by the following data: method 1, OR 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53, 13.99) for soap alone; method 2, OR 1.0 (CI 0.23, 4.35); and method 3, OR 2.0 (CI 0.54, 9.10) for soap alone. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of use of soap alone in reducing hand bacterial counts at 45 minutes was similar to use of soap and brush. Soap can be used alone and the surgical infection rate prospectively monitored.

Sexuality in nursing homes.

Since so little has been written on the subject of sexuality among the elderly in nursing homes, a study was conducted in some nursing home populations in Wisconsin. Resistance was encountered in certain areas but finally 63 residents (27 men and 36 women) agreed to be interviewed. A recently designed questionnaire was used, followed by a relaxed conversational period. Our findings indicate that the aged interviewees believed that sexual activity was appropriate for other elderly people in the homes; they personally were not involved, chiefly because of lack of opportunity. Most of them admitted having sexual thoughts and feelings. Medical and behavioral personnel showed great reluctance to discuss the subject. It would seem that, if the quality of life in old age is to be improved, there should be some provision in nursing homes for those who desire appropriate sexual activity.