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BACKGROUND: Venous catheterization for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is part of routine hospital practice, as approximately 70% of hospitalized patients have a peripheral venous catheter (PVC). This practice, however, can lead to both local complications, (e.g., chemical, mechanical and infectious phlebitis) and systemic complications (e.g., PVC-related bloodstream infections [PVC-BSIs]). Surveillance data and activities are central to preventing nosocomial infections, phlebitis and improving patient care and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a care bundle on reducing PVC-BSI rates and phlebitis at a secondary care hospital in Mallorca, Spain. METHODS: Three-phase intervention study targeting hospitalized patients with a PVC. The VINCat criteria were used to define PVC-BSIs and calculate incidence. In phase I (August-December 2015), we retrospectively analyzed baseline PVC-BSI rates at our hospital. In phase II (2016-2017), we conducted safety rounds and developed a care bundle with the goal of reducing PVC-BSI rates. In phase III (2018), we expanded the PVC-BSI bundle to prevent phlebitis and analyzed its impact. RESULTS: The incidence of PVC-BSIs decreased from 0.48 episodes per 1000 patient-days in 2015 to 0.17 episodes per 1000 patient-days in 2018. The 2017 safety rounds also detected a reduction in phlebitis (from 4.6% of 2.6%). Overall, 680 healthcare professionals were trained in catheter care and five safety rounds were conducted to assess bedside care. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a care bundle significantly reduced PVC-BSI rates and phlebitis at our hospital. Continuous surveillance programs are needed to adapt measures to improve patient care and guarantee safety.
Subject(s)
Patient Care Bundles , Phlebitis , Sepsis , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Secondary Care , Hospitals , Phlebitis/epidemiology , Phlebitis/etiology , Phlebitis/prevention & control , CathetersABSTRACT
We report our experience with venetoclax/hypomethylating agents (Ven/HMA) in 8 AML patients not candidates for intensive CT or refractory/relapsed with limited treatment options. The response rate was 50%. Venetoclax was well-tolerated in 62.5% of the patients. Ven/HMA provides a benefit particularly when used in patients without prior HMA exposure.
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BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare self-reported changes on lifestyle behaviors during two phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, and to evaluate clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with lifestyles. METHODS: Two cross-sectional web surveys were conducted during lockdown (April 15-May 15, 2020) and seven months later (November 16-December 16, 2020). Lifestyle behaviors were self-reported by a multidimensional scale (SMILE-C). Two separate samples of respondents were analyzed. A multivariate regression model was performed to evaluate the association of SMILE-C scores with demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The sample comprised, 3412 participants from the first survey (S1) and in the S1 and 3635 from the second (S2). SMILE-C score decreased across surveys (p < 0.001). The rates of positive screenings for depression and anxiety were similar between the surveys, whereas those for alcohol abuse decreased (p < 0.001). Most participants in S2 reported that their lifestyle had not changed compared to those before the pandemic. Variables independently associated with an unhealthier lifestyle were working as an essential worker, lower educational level, previous mental disease, worse self-rated health, totally/moderate changes on diet, sleep or social support, as well as positive screenings for alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design and recruitment by non-probabilistic methods limit inferring causality and the external validity of the results. CONCLUSIONS: Overall lifestyle worsened seven months after the lockdown in Spain. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated with lifestyle scores. The contribution of common mental disorders to unhealthier lifestyles should be considered in order to prevent the negative impact of the pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Anxiety , Communicable Disease Control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression , Humans , Life Style , Mental Health , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Introducción. Los fenómenos de despersonalización/desrealización se han asociado clásicamente con las fases iniciales de la psicosis y se supone que precederían (incluso en años) a la psicosis clínica, siendo mucho más frecuentes en la fase prodrómica y en la fase aguda de la enfermedad. Los objetivos del presente estudio son analizar las diferencias para los fenómenos de despersonalización/desrealización existentes entre los pacientes con primeros o con múltiples episodios de esquizofrenia y los factores que podrían influir en ello. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, controlado y transversal en el que se estudiaron 48 sujetos diagnosticados de esquizofrenia paranoide (20 con un primer episodio y 28 con episodios múltiples). Fueron evaluados mediante la Escala de Despersonalización de Cambridge, la Escala de los Síndromes Positivo y Negativo y la Escala de Experiencias Disociativas, entre otras. Resultados. Los sujetos con primeros episodios de esquizofrenia presentan mayores puntuaciones tanto en la Escala de Despersonalización de Cambridge como en la subescala que valora estas experiencias en la Escala de Experiencias Disociativas. No encontramos asociaciones entre estas y la subescala de síntomas positivos de la Escala de los Síndromes Positivo y Negativo. Conclusiones. Las experiencias de despersonalización/desrealización aparecen con mayor frecuencia, duración e intensidad en pacientes con primeros episodios de esquizofrenia que en pacientes con múltiples episodios de la enfermedad (AU)
Introduction. The phenomena of depersonalisation/derealisation have classically been associated with the initial phases of psychosis, and it is assumed that they would precede (even by years) the onset of clinical psychosis, being much more common in the prodromal and acute phases of the illness. The aims of the present study are to analyse the differences in depersonalisation/derealisation between patients with initial and multiple episodes and the factors that could influence this. Material and methods. A descriptive, controlled and cross-sectional study of 48 patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (20 with an initial episode and 28 with multiple episodes). These patients were assessed using scales such as the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Results. Participants with initial episodes score higher on both the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale, and the subscale of the Dissociative Experiences Scale that evaluates such experiences. There were no associations between these types of experience and the positive symptoms subscale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. Conclusions. Depersonalisation/derealisation experiences appear with greater frequency, duration and intensity in patients in the early stages of the illnesses, gradually decreasing as they become chronic (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Depersonalization/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/complications , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Psychotic Disorders/complications , Psychotic Disorders/diagnosis , Depersonalization/complications , Depersonalization/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies/methods , Schizophrenia, Paranoid/complications , Schizophrenia, Paranoid/diagnosis , Data Analysis/methodsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The phenomena of depersonalisation/derealisation have classically been associated with the initial phases of psychosis, and it is assumed that they would precede (even by years) the onset of clinical psychosis, being much more common in the prodromal and acute phases of the illness. The aims of the present study are to analyse the differences in depersonalisation/derealisation between patients with initial and multiple episodes and the factors that could influence this. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, controlled and cross-sectional study of 48 patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (20 with an initial episode and 28 with multiple episodes). These patients were assessed using scales such as the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. RESULTS: Participants with initial episodes score higher on both the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale, and the subscale of the Dissociative Experiences Scale that evaluates such experiences. There were no associations between these types of experience and the positive symptoms subscale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Depersonalisation/derealisation experiences appear with greater frequency, duration and intensity in patients in the early stages of the illnesses, gradually decreasing as they become chronic.
Subject(s)
Depersonalization/psychology , Schizophrenia, Paranoid/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depersonalization/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Schizophrenia, Paranoid/diagnosis , Young AdultABSTRACT
Background: Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) is common (45-65%).Deficits occur in speed of information processing (SIP), memory, attention, executive functions (EF) and visuoconstruction. Involvement of cognitive functions like language and gnosis is rare and lesser known. Our aim is to describe the cognitive function and the clinical and radiological features of five patients with MS and with neuropsychological syndromes (NPS). Method: Retrospective review of MS patients with NPS studied, using specific tests of SIP, memory, attention, EF, visuo-spatial abilities, praxis and language. Results: The sample included four women (3 relapsing-remitting MS/1 secondary progressive MS) and one man with primary progressive MS (aged between 30-55 years). Cognitive symptoms were the initial complaint in three cases. Three cases presented apperceptive agnosia and constructive apraxia, one case presented alexia with agraphia and the fifth patient presented motor aphasia. Four patients suffered cognitive dysfunction considered typical of MS. Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) in all cases showed high lesion volumes in T1 and T2- weighted sequences. A good correlation was observed between cognitive deficits and the location of the lesions in four patients. Conclusions: NPS may be the initial complaint in MS patients, often associated with other cognitive deficits, and it shows a close relationship with lesion location (AU)
Antecedentes: entre el 45-65% de los pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM) manifiestan déficits cognitivos en velocidad de procesamiento de la información (VPI), atención, memoria, funciones ejecutivas (FE) y visuoconstrucción. La alteración del lenguaje y la gnosis visual es infrecuente y poco reconocida. El objetivo es la descripción cognitiva, clínica y radiológica de cinco pacientes con EM con síndromes neuropsicológicos (SNPS). Método: revisión retrospectiva de pacientes de EM con SNPS estudiados mediante test específicos de atención, memoria, VPI, FE, visuoconstrucción, gnosis visual y lenguaje. Resultados: la muestra incluyó cuatro mujeres (3 EM remitente recurrente, 1 EM secundaria progresiva) y un varón con EM primaria progresiva (edades entre 30-55 años). Los déficits cognitivos fueron el síntoma inicial en 3 casos. Tres presentan agnosia aperceptiva y apraxia constructiva, uno alexia con agrafia y el quinto afasia motora. Cuatro asocian disfunción cognitiva típica de EM. En resonancia magnética observamos alto volumen lesional en secuencias potenciadas en T1 y T2 y correlación entre los déficits cognitivos y la localización de las lesiones en 4 de ellos. Conclusiones: los SNPS pueden ser la queja inicial en la EM, con frecuencia se asocian a otros déficits cognitivos y manifiestan una estrecha relación con la localización de la lesión (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Neuropsychological Tests/standards , Neuropsychology/instrumentation , Neuropsychology/methods , Neuropsychology/trends , Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Multiple Sclerosis/diagnosis , Multiple Sclerosis/psychology , Aphasia/complications , Aphasia/diagnosis , Cognitive Dissonance , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Aphasia/psychology , Aphasia/therapy , Memory/physiology , Memory Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP), or Günther's disease, is an inborn error of metabolism produced by a deficiency of uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS), the fourth enzyme of the heme biosynthesis pathway. This enzymatic defect induces the accumulation of isomer I porphyrins in erythrocytes, skin, and tissues, producing various clinical manifestations. Severe cases are characterized by extreme photosensitivity, causing scarring and mutilations, and by hemolytic anemia, reducing life expectancy. CEP is caused by mutations in the UROS gene, and one of the most severe forms of the disease is associated with a cysteine to arginine substitution at residue 73 of the protein (C73R). CEP has been successfully treated only by the transplantation of hematopoietic precursors. We report the case of a male infant with severe postdelivery symptoms diagnosed with CEP and found to be homozygous for the C73R mutation. He underwent successful allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from a matched unrelated donor at 7 months of age. The hemolytic anemia was corrected and the porphyrin overproduction was significantly reduced. The patient remained asymptomatic after 1 year. This new case confirms that patients with severe CEP can benefit from early postnatal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Histocompatibility Testing , Porphyria, Erythropoietic/therapy , Humans , Infant , Male , Porphyria, Erythropoietic/genetics , Treatment Outcome , Uroporphyrinogen III Synthetase/geneticsABSTRACT
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder characterized by unexplained, persistent hypereosinophilia associated with multiple organ dysfunctions. The cause of HES is unknown and shows clinical heterogeneity. FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion is a clonal marker for the diagnosis and treatment of HES. We prospectively studied 78 patients with chronic eosinophilia. In all cases, the most salient clinical and biological characteristics as well as the response to the therapy were analyzed. In addition, we performed conventional cytogenetics and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with three BACs covering the FIP1-like-1 (FIP1L1)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α gene (PDGFRA) fusion. Nineteen of 78 patients (24 %) presented criteria of HES. The majority of patients were male (18) with median age of 49 years (range 19-84 years). FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion was found in eight patients. Patients with FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion presented with more bone marrow eosinophils and peripheral blood eosinophilia as well as anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Using of low-dose imatinib mesylate (100 mg/day) a hematological and molecular remission in all patients displaying the FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion gene was observed. Therefore, imatinib may be effective for use in the treatment of chronic eosinophilic leukemia, and patients should be treated before tissue damage.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Hypereosinophilic Syndrome/drug therapy , Piperazines/therapeutic use , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Pyrimidines/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Benzamides , Chromosome Aberrations , Female , Humans , Hypereosinophilic Syndrome/diagnosis , Hypereosinophilic Syndrome/genetics , Imatinib Mesylate , Karyotype , Male , Middle Aged , Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics , Piperazines/administration & dosage , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Pyrimidines/administration & dosage , Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/genetics , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult , mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Los tumores neuroendocrinos (TNE) son tumores propios del árbol broncopulmonar, donde fueron descritos por primera vez en 1926. Son tumores de mal pronóstico debido a su gran poder metastásico aun después de tratamientos radicales asociados a otras terapias neo o adyuvantes. El TNE de vejiga representa el 0,5% de los tumores vesicales. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo de 13 pacientes diagnosticados, tratados y controlados por carcinoma neuroendocrino de vejiga en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete por el periodo entre los años 1995 y 2010. RESULTADOS: La muestra estaba formada por 11 hombres y 2 mujeres. La edad media fue de 71 años. El estadio tumoral T más frecuente hallado fue T4. El estadio tumoral N más frecuente hallado fue N2 . Seis pacientes presentaron metástasis a distancia en el momento del diagnóstico. Once pacientes presentaron histológicamente TNE de células pequeñas. A 7 pacientes se les realizó cirugía radical (cistectomía radical). La quimioterapia adyuvante se administró a 4 pacientes basada principalmente en la asociación de carboplatino/cisplatino y etopósido. A 2 de estos 4 pacientes se les administró radioterapia pélvica complementaria. La Mediana de supervivencia hallada fue de 5,1 meses. Dos pacientes presentaron supervivencia por encima de 5 años tras el diagnóstico. De los 9 éxitus letalis acontecidos, 8 de ellos se produjeron en los primeros 6 meses después del diagnóstico. El caso restante falleció a los 24 meses. Todas estas muertes fueron debidas a la propia enfermedad. CONCLUSIONES: El carcinoma neuroendocrino de vejiga es un tumor infrecuente, agresivo y con alto potencial metastásico que debe ser tenido en cuenta a la hora de realizar el diagnóstico diferencial en las neoplasias de vejiga. A pesar de utilizar distintos tratamientos multimodales el pronóstico es infausto(AU)
OBJECTIVES: Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are cancers found in the bronchopulmonary tract, where they were first described in 1926. The tumors are associated with poor prognosis due to their high metastatic potency even after radical treatments associated with other neo- or adjuvant therapies. NET of the urinary bladder is a rare tumor and accounts for 0.5% of bladder tumors. METHODS: The study was designed as an observational, descriptive and retrospective study of 13 patients diagnosed, treated, and followed for NET of the urinary bladder at the Hospital and University Complex of Albacete, Albacete, Spain between 1995 and 2010. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 11 men and 2 women. Mean patient age at the time of diagnosis was 71 (range, 57-88; SD, 6.98) years. T4 (6 patients) was the most common T tumor stage, followed by T2 (5 patients) and T3 (2 patients). In the case of N tumor stage, the most common was N2. In the remaining 3 patients, the degree of lymph node involvement could not be assessed. Six presented distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Eleven patients presented small-cell NET on histology. Seven underwent radical surgery (radical cystectomy). All other patients were treated by deep transurethral resection of bladder tumor, except for 1 patient treated by partial cystectomy. Adjuvant chemo-therapy (usually an association of carboplatin/cisplatin and etoposide) was administered to 4 patients. Of these 4 patients, 2 were also treated by pelvic radiotherapy. Two patients survived more than 5 years following diagnosis. In fact, at the time the study data was collected only 4 patients had survived and 2 presented tumor recurrence. Of the 9 deaths, 8 occurred within 6 months of diagnosis and 1 at 24 months. All of them were the result of the disease itself(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Neuroendocrine Tumors/pathology , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Diagnosis, Differential , Cystectomy , Hematuria/etiology , Neoplasm MetastasisABSTRACT
AIM: To report the use of intravitreal bevacizumab associated with cataract surgery to prevent the re-activation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS: Twelve eyes from 12 patients who had been previously treated for wet AMD and presented cataracts were operated on by clear cornea phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation, and an intravitreal injection of 1.25mg (0.05mL) bevacizumab was performed by the end of the procedure. The results were evaluated in terms of visual acuity improvement and reactivation of CNV, as determined by the appearance of fluid in optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA) significantly improved after surgery (P<0.01 and P=0.049 for BCVA after CNV closure and BCVA after cataract development respectively, Student's t test for paired data). Mean follow-up after cataract surgery was 11.8 months (SD 6.1, range 3 to 22 months). CNV reactivation or appearance of new CNV lesions was not observed in any case during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab immediately after cataract surgery may prevent CNV reactivation in patients previously treated from CNV secondary to AMD.
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AIM: To report the appearance of choriocapillaris atrophy after combined high dose intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS: The present study was retrospective about non-randomized interventional case series. Fifty-one consecutive eyes with subfoveal (all types) CNV associated with AMD were treated by PDT and intravitreal (19.4±2.1)mg per 0.1mL TA at the Alicante Institute of Ophthalmology. The appearance of macular choriocapillaris and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy was considered at two years follow-up. Thirty consecutive eyes treated by PDT alone, matched for age, sex, and type and size of CNV were considered as control group. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 47 eyes in the study group (45%) and 7 of 30 eyes in the control group (23%) developed macular RPE and choriocapillaris atrophy in the treated area at month 24 (P =0.04, Chi-square test). The greatest diameter of the atrophic areas averaged (5 044±1 666)μm in the study groupvs(4 345±1 550)μm in the control group. Mean final best corrected visual acuity (logarithm of minimal angle of resolution) was (0.87±033) in the cases with RPE atrophyvs(0.66±0.26) in the cases with no RPE atrophy in the study group (P=011, Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: The association of high doses of intravitreal TA and PDT may increase the risk for RPE and choriocapillaris atrophy.
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AIM: To report two cases whose decreased visual acuity was the first symptom of leukaemia and optical coherence tomography (OCT) allowed identification and localization of the retinal lesions.METHODS: Retrospective, interventional, case reports. RESULTS: One case of lymphoblastic acute leukaemia and chronic lymphoid leukaemia were diagnosed following decreased visual acuity. OCT showed macular serous detachment in the first case. The second case presented hypo fluorescent retinal infiltrates which appeared as hyper reflective lesions by OCT. Retinal changes disappeared and visual acuity was recovered following complete remission of the neoplasm.CONCLUSION: OCT is a valuable, non invasive diagnostic tool permitting detection, localization and follow-up of ocular dissemination of neoplasms.
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· AIM: To determine the influence of topical anaesthetic drops, age and central corneal thickness (CCT) in the determination of intraocular pressure (IOP) by non contact tonometry (NCT). · METHODS: Ninety-three eyes from 47 patients were examined for CCT and lOP by NCT before and after the instillation of topical anaesthetic drops.· RESULTS: Average age was 66.4 (SD 16, range 34 to 88years-of-age). Thirty one patients were female and 16 were male. Average basal IOP was 16.0 mmHg (SD 4.0, range 8.5to 26.1). IOP pressure one minute after topical anesthesia instillation was 15.0 mmHg (SD 3.8, range 7.7 to 26.7), and 14.9 mm Hg (SD 3.9, range 7.6 to 26.3) five minutes after the instillation. The differences were statistically significant for the 0 to 1 minute lapse (P=0.0007) and for the 0 to 5minute lapse (P=0.0003), but not for the 1 to 5 minute lapse (P=0.27) (Student's t test for paired data). Average CCT before topical anaesthetic drops was 565.4 microns. Simple linear regression analysis demonstrated absence of significant variation between age and IOP changes and between CCT and IOP changes,· CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that the instillation of topical anaesthetics causes a reduction in IOP, which is progressive during the first 5 minutes after instillation. This IOP reduction does not seem to be associated with basal CCT or age.
Subject(s)
Emigration and Immigration/statistics & numerical data , Intestines/parasitology , Parasitic Diseases/ethnology , Parasitic Diseases/parasitology , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Catchment Area, Health , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Spain/epidemiology , Strongyloides stercoralis/isolation & purification , Strongyloidiasis/ethnology , Strongyloidiasis/parasitologyABSTRACT
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