Impact of intimate partner violence on quality of life and disease activity in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Stress and trauma are psychosocial factors with an impact on the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The influence of violence on SLE has not been entirely explored, even though women (including patients with rheumatic diseases) are a vulnerable population to any form of violence. This study aims to assess the prevalence and impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on health-related quality of life in women with SLE. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted at a rheumatology clinic of a university hospital from September 2022 and September 2023. We evaluated the presence of IPV in 85 women with SLE with the Hurt, Insulted, Threatened with Harm and Screamed at (HITS) questionnaire and the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA), and quality of life with LupusQoL. RESULTS: The prevalence by HITS score of past-year IPV was 24.4% and of lifetime IPV was 36.5%. Past-year non-physical violence was present in 17.1% of patients by ISA, and 27.1% were victims in their lifetime. While in physical violence, 7.3% were victims in the previous year and 21.2% in their lifetime. The total quality of life and the emotional domain by LupusQoL were diminished in victims of past-year IPV, compared to those who weren't exposed (p = .018 and p = .036, respectively). Past-year HITS score correlated with the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) (rho = 0.301, p = .006), while lifetime HITS score correlated with PGA (rho = 0.329, p = .002) and SLEDAI-2K (rho = 0.277, p = .010). CONCLUSION: We found that one in four women suffered IPV in the previous year, and those who were exposed had diminished quality of life. Also, the severity of the abuse correlated with disease activity. Our findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive care for patients with SLE.

Quality indicators and satisfaction with care in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Grading the quality of care in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and determining its relationship with care satisfaction may recognize gaps that could lead to better clinical practice. Eighteen quality indicators (QIs) were recently developed and validated for patients with SLE based on the 2019 EULAR management recommendations. Few studies have analyzed the relationship between quality of care and care satisfaction in patients with lupus. This was a cross-sectional study. We included patients at least 18 years old who met the EULAR/ACR 2019 classification criteria for SLE. We interviewed patients and retrieved data from medical records to assess their compliance with a set of 18 EULAR-based QIs. We calculated each QI fulfillment as the proportion of fulfilled QI divided by the number of eligible patients for each indicator. Care satisfaction was evaluated with the satisfaction domain of LupusPRO version 1.7. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between quality of care and care satisfaction. Seventy patients with a median age of 33 (IQR 23-48) were included, 90% were women. Overall adherence was 62.29%. The median care satisfaction was 100. Global adherence to the 18-QIs and the care satisfaction score revealed no correlation (r = 0.064, p = 0.599). Higher QI fulfillment was found in the group with remission versus the moderate-high activity group (p = 0.008). In our study, SLE patients in remission had higher fulfillment of quality indicators. We found no correlation between the quality of care and satisfaction with care.

High-Frequency Low-Tidal Volume Ventilation Improves Long-Term Outcomes in AF Ablation: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: High-frequency, low-tidal-volume (HFLTV) ventilation is a safe and simple strategy to improve catheter stability and first-pass isolation during pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. However, the impact of this technique on long-term clinical outcomes has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess acute and long-term outcomes of HFLTV ventilation compared with standard ventilation (SV) during radiofrequency (RF) ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHODS: In this prospective multicenter registry (REAL-AF), patients undergoing PAF ablation using either HFLTV or SV were included. The primary outcome was freedom from all-atrial arrhythmia at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included procedural characteristics, AF-related symptoms, and hospitalizations at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 661 patients were included. Compared with those in the SV group, patients in the HFLTV group had shorter procedural (66 [IQR: 51-88] minutes vs 80 [IQR: 61-110] minutes; P < 0.001), total RF (13.5 [IQR: 10-19] minutes vs 19.9 [IQR: 14.7-26.9] minutes; P < 0.001), and PV RF (11.1 [IQR: 8.8-14] minutes vs 15.3 [IQR: 12.4-20.4] minutes; P < 0.001) times. First-pass PV isolation was higher in the HFLTV group (66.6% vs 63.8%; P = 0.036). At 12 months, 185 of 216 (85.6%) in the HFLTV group were free from all-atrial arrhythmia, compared with 353 of 445 (79.3%) patients in the SV group (P = 0.041). HLTV was associated with a 6.3% absolute reduction in all-atrial arrhythmia recurrence, lower rate of AF-related symptoms (12.5% vs 18.9%; P = 0.046), and hospitalizations (1.4% vs 4.7%; P = 0.043). There was no significant difference in the rate of complications. CONCLUSIONS: HFLTV ventilation during catheter ablation of PAF improved freedom from all-atrial arrhythmia recurrence, AF-related symptoms, and AF-related hospitalizations with shorter procedural times.

Performance of the REAL-AF Same-Day Discharge Protocol in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Same-day discharge (SDD) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been widely adopted. Nevertheless, planned SDD has been performed by using subjective criteria rather than standardized protocols. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the previously described SDD protocol in a prospective multicenter study. METHODS: Using the REAL-AF (Real-world Experience of Catheter Ablation for the Treatment of Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation) SDD protocol eligibility criteria (stable anticoagulation, no bleeding history, left ventricular ejection fraction >40%, no pulmonary disease, no procedures within 60 days, and body mass index <35 kg/m2), operators prospectively determined whether patients undergoing ablation of AF were candidates for SDD (SDD vs non-SDD groups). Successful SDD was achieved if the patient met the protocol discharge criteria. The primary efficacy endpoint was the success rate of SDD. The primary safety endpoints were readmission rates as well as acute and subacute complications. The secondary endpoints included procedural characteristics and freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias. RESULTS: A total of 2,332 patients were included. The REAL-AF SDD protocol identified 1,982 (85%) patients as potential candidates for SDD. The primary efficacy endpoint was achieved in 1,707 (86.1%) patients. The readmission rate for SDD vs non-SDD group was similar (0.8% vs 0.9%; P = 0.924). The SDD group had a lower acute complication rate than the non-SDD group (0.8% vs 2.9%; P < 0.001), and there was no difference in the subacute complication rate between groups (P = 0.513). Freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias was comparable between groups (P = 0.212). CONCLUSIONS: In this large, multicenter prospective registry, the use of a standardized protocol showed the safety of SDD after catheter ablation of paroxysmal and persistent AF. (Real-world Experience of Catheter Ablation for the Treatment of Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation [REAL-AF]; NCT04088071).

Assisted reality device to guide cardiac implantable device programming in distant rural areas.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) living in rural areas have difficulty obtaining follow-up visits for device interrogation and programming in specialized healthcare facilities. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of an assisted reality device designed to provide front-line workers with real-time online support from a remotely located specialist (Realwear HTM-1; Realwear) during CIED assistance in distant rural areas. METHODS: This is a prospective study of patients requiring CIED interrogation using the Realwear HMT-1 in a remote rural population in Colombia between April 2021 and June 2022. CIED interrogation and device programming were performed by a general practitioner and guided by a cardiac electrophysiologist. Non-CIED-related medical interventions were allowed and analyzed. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of clinically significant CIED alerts. Secondary objectives were the changes medical interventions used to treat the events found in the device interrogations regarding non-CIED related conditions. RESULTS: A total of 205 CIED interrogations were performed on 139 patients (age 69 ± 14 years; 54% female). Clinically significant CIED alerts were reported in 42% of CIED interrogations, consisting of the detection of significant arrhythmias (35%), lead malfunction (3%), and device in elective replacement interval (3.9%). Oral anticoagulation was initiated in 8% of patients and general medical/cardiac interventions unrelated to the CIED were performed in 52% of CIED encounters. CONCLUSION: Remote assistance using a commercially available assisted reality device has the potential to provide specialized healthcare to patients in difficult-to-reach areas, overcoming current difficulties associated with RM, including the inability to change device programming. Additionally, these interactions provided care beyond CIED-related interventions, thus delivering significant social and clinical impact to remote rural populations.

Competencias genéricas de/la profesional psicopedagogo/a*: Análisis transmetodológico para la actualización del perfil profesional por medio de una experiencia de investigación acción participativa / Generic competences of the professional psychopedagogue: Transmethodological analysis to update the professional profile through an experience of Participatory Action Research

El presente artículo da cuenta de los principales hallazgos generados a partir del proyecto de investigación denominado "Perfil del profesional psicopedagogo/a: Aportes desde una revisión epistemológica a la praxis en Chile. Concepto, ámbitos de acción y roles actuales" realizado por la Agrupación de profesionales Psicopedagogos/as de Chile en el período 2019-2020. En esta primera etapa, por medio de una transmetodología de la investigación con enfoque de Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP), se establece un constructo teórico fundamentado en la empiria, que categoriza las competencias genéricas de los/as profesionales psicopedagogos/as en cuatro áreas principales: investigación, evaluación, acompañamiento y orientación y/o asesoramiento psicopedagógico. Las categorías elaboradas se fundamentan en la triangulación hermenéutica entre datos, teoría y experiencias de diversos actores/as de la Psicopedagogía chilena (académicos/as, trabajadores/as y estudiantes) e invitan a la reflexión en torno a la ruptura paradigmática emergente, la identidad disciplinar, la transmetodología de la investigación y las aportaciones desde la complejidad en la práctica profesional.

This reports the main findings generated from the research project called "Profile of the Psychopedagogue Professional: Contributions from an epistemological review of praxis in Chile. Concept, fields of action and current roles" carried out by the Psychopedagogue Professional Association in Chile in the period 2019-2020. In this first stage, through a transmethodology of research with a Participatory Action Research (IAP) focus, an empirical-based theoretical construct is established, which categorizes the generic competences of professional psychopedagogue in four main areas: research, evaluation, accompaniment and counseling and / or psycho-pedagogical advice. The elaborated categories are based on the hermeneutic triangulation between data, theory and experiences of various actors of the Chilean Psychopedagogy (academics, workers and students) and invite reflection on the emerging paradigmatic rupture, identity discipline, the transmethodology of research and contributions from complexity in professional practice.

Estructuración de la personalidad en niños y niñas abandonados por sus progenitores / Personality structuring in children abandoned by their parents

Resumen Esta investigación expone cómo la ausencia de ambos padres afecta la estructuración de la personalidad en los niños y niñas que vivencian el abandono, tomando como aporte lo planteado por la teoría sistémica respecto a la familia, la cual la considera como el primer ente de contacto y el espacio en que se inicia el desarrollo psicológico y social de las personas; igualmente lo planteado por la teoría psicoanalítica en cuanto a la estructuración de la personalidad. La familia es considerada como una pieza fundamental en el desarrollo psicológico del niño; por lo tanto, la presencia de ambos padres cumple un papel significativo durante el crecimiento físico y psicológico. El objetivo principal fue analizar cómo se está estructurando la personalidad en los niños y niñas abandonados por sus progenitores. La investigación se ajusta al método cualitativo, y en ella participaron seis menores de uno y otro sexo, cuyas edades oscilaron entre los nueve y once años de edad; los participantes formaban parte del ICBF (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar). Se aplicaron entrevistas abiertas en total dos pruebas proyectivas: el CAT (Test de Apercepción Temática para niños CATA) y Test del Dibujo de la Familia, estudio de caso, historia clínica y observaciones personalizadas. Se destaca que los niños y niñas actualmente no cuentan con la presencia de una figura masculina que pueda cumplir con las funciones de una figura paterna y que pueda dar paso a que el Edipo encuentre una salida adecuada; además las mujeres encargadas de los cuidados de los participantes cambian con frecuencia lo cual genera en ellos dificultades en el establecimiento de vínculos afectivos seguros, y presentan un yo y superyó débiles y con notables vacíos afectivos en sus relaciones vinculares primarias.

Abstract This exposes how the absence of both parents affects the structuring of the personality in the boys and girls who experience the abandonment, taking as contribution what was proposed by the systemic theory in front of the family, which considers it as the first entity of contact and the space in which the psychological and social development of people begins, likewise what is posed by psychoanalytic theory regarding the structuring of personality. The family is considered as a fundamental piece in the child's psychological development, therefore the presence of both parents plays a significant role during physical and psychological growth. The main objective was to analyze how the personality is being structured in children abandoned by their parents. The research is adjusted to the qualitative method, where six minors of both sexes participated, whose ages ranged from nine to eleven years of age; the participants were part of the ICBF (Colombian Institute of Family Welfare). Two projective tests were applied to open interviews: the CAT (Thematic Apperception Test for children CATA) and the Family Drawing Test, case study, medical history and personalized observations. It is highlighted that boys and girls currently do not they have the presence of a male figure who can fulfill the functions of a father figure and who can make way for the Oedipus to find a suitable outlet; furthermore, the women in charge of the care of the participants change frequently, generating difficulties in establishing secure affective bonds, presenting a weak self and superego and with notable affective gaps in their primary bonding relationships.

Fluid Infusion Through Chest Tube to Facilitate Pleural Procedures: A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Most pleural procedures need the presence of a moderate effusion to allow safe access to the pleural space. We propose a technique to allow safe access in patients with a drained pleural space who require further pleural evaluation or treatment during the same hospital stay. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. All patients who underwent any pleural intervention with a prior infusion of fluid in the pleural space using a pre-existing chest tube (≤14 Fr) were included. Before the pleural intervention, warm saline was infused into the pleural space through the small-bore chest tube until enough fluid was detected on thoracic ultrasound to allow pleural access. Data on patient demographics, indication for the pleural procedure, and patient outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients with pleural disease underwent definitive pleural procedure facilitated by fluid infusion. Median volume of fluid infused was 1000 mL (850, 1500 mL). The median time between the initial chest tube insertion and the subsequent definitive pleural procedure was 3 days (2, 7 d). All procedures were completed successfully. One patient had a hemothorax secondary to fluid infusion. CONCLUSION: Fluid infusion through a chest tube is a feasible technique for patients that require a pleural procedure and have minimal fluid after initial pleural drainage. This approach may facilitate pleural procedures, reduce incidence of complications, and expedite the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pleural diseases. Pressure infusers should not be used during this procedure as there is a theoretical increased risk of complications.

Prescripción del ejercicio físico y sus implicaciones en adultos que han sufrido quemaduras / Prescription of physical activity and its implications in adults who have experienced burns

Resumen Introducción. La prescripción del ejercicio físico y sus implicaciones en pacientes que han sufrido quemaduras es objeto de estudio en diferentes investigaciones debido al impacto físico, psicológico y social que tiene en las personas. Objetivo. Describir la prescripción de ejercicio físico y sus implicaciones en la población adulta que ha sufrido quemaduras. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión de tema por medio de exploración de artículos de manera electrónica con filtros de búsqueda en distintas bases de datos con términos DeCS y MeSH. Resultados. Se seleccionaron 11 artículos con intervención de ejercicio físico en fases aguda y crónica. Se incluyeron estrategias sobre la fuerza muscular en cinco de los artículos: tres de resistencia cardiovascular; dos de rango de movimiento, flexibilidad y características tróficas de la piel, y uno de dolor. Conclusiones. Las variables de la prescripción se determinan de acuerdo a las características propias que presenta la persona con quemadura, las cuales se resumen en esta revisión.

Abstract Introduction: The prescription of physical activity and its implications in patients who have suffered burns is the object of study of different investigations due to the physical, psychological and social impact they have on people. Objective: To describe the prescription of physical activity and its implications in adults with burn injury. Materials and methods: A review of the topic was carried out by scanning articles electronically and using search filters in different databases with DeCS and MeSH terms. Results: 11 articles about physical activity intervention in acute and chronic phases were selected. Strategies on muscle strength were included in six of the articles: three on cardiovascular resistance; two on range of motion, flexibility and trophic features of the skin; and one on pain. Conclusions: The variables of the prescription are determined according to the characteristics of the person with the burn, which are summarized in this review.

Asthma Management in the Era of Smart-Medicine: Devices, Gadgets, Apps and Telemedicine.

Asthma is the most common chronic pediatric condition. Effective asthma management requires a proactive and inclusive approach that controls the patient's symptoms and prevents recurrence of exacerbations. Clinicians should encourage patients to become involved in their management since self-management approaches have proven to be an effective means for chronic illness treatment. Novel forms of self-monitoring and management are technological interventions. In the last decade, novel technology has been developed and used to improve asthma control since it is a powerful agent that addresses a variety of challenges in chronic disease management such as education, communication and adherence. A myriad of technology-based strategies are available although many of these are not evidence based and further studies are needed to evaluate their efficacy in specific asthma-control endpoints. Herein, authors present a review of current and future technology-based options for asthma management and a comparison between them.

Concurrent Versus Sequential Intrapleural Instillation of Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Deoxyribonuclease for Pleural Infection.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of pleural infection with instillation of sequential intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and human recombinant deoxyribonuclease (DNase) twice daily for a total of 6 doses has been shown to decrease surgical referral and improve radiographic imaging. This labor-intensive regimen was empirically chosen. Thus, it remains unclear whether the 2 drugs can be administered immediately one after the other (concurrent administration) instead of instilling them separately with a 1-hour to 2-hour interval in between (sequential administration). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of sequential versus concurrent tPA/DNase therapy in patients with pleural infection. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. Consecutive patients with pleural infection who received concurrent and sequential tPA/DNase were included. The initiation and number of doses of tPA/DNase therapy were based on the amount of pleural fluid drainage, clinical response and radiographic findings. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients with pleural infection received tPA/DNase treatment: 18 in the sequential group and 20 in the concurrent group. Treatment was successful in 77.7% in the sequential group and 75% in concurrent group (P=0.57). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 treatment groups (sequential and concurrent) in median pleural fluid drainage (P=0.45), median volume of pleural effusion estimated on chest computed tomography scan (P=0.4) or median hemithorax occupied by effusion on chest radiography (P=0.83) following intrapleural therapy. One patient required a blood transfusion for gradual pleural blood loss in each treatment group. Pain needing escalation of analgesia affected 3 patients in each arm but none required cessation of therapy. CONCLUSION: A simpler regimen of concurrent administration of intrapleural tPA/DNase as compared with sequential intrapleural therapy is safe, effective, and represents a viable option for the management of pleural infection.

Sarcoidosis With Pleural Effusion as the Presenting Symptom.

A 65-year-old woman, never smoker, with medical history of hypertension, nonischemic cardiomyopathy, and moderate pulmonary hypertension presented with symptomatic bilateral pleural effusions. Thoracentesis revealed a lymphocyte predominant transudate and was negative for malignancy, microbiologic cultures were negative for an infectious cause. Chest tomography showed mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, lymph node biopsy with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration showed non-necrotizing granulomas compatible with sarcoidosis. Echocardiogram showed ejection fraction of 45% and cardiac workup for sarcoid involvement was negative. Despite overall clinical management with diuretics, pleural effusion persisted and the patient underwent medical thoracoscopy with pleural biopsy. Biopsy showed noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoid, with all stains and microbiologic cultures negative for an infectious etiology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first described case of sarcoidosis presenting as large transudative pleural effusion.

Safety and Efficacy of Tissue Plasminogen Activator and DNase for Complicated Pleural Effusions Secondary to Abdominal Pathology.

RATIONALE: Exudative pleural effusions may arise secondary to inflammation of intra-abdominal structures. Pleural space loculations can complicate these effusions, preventing adequate chest tube drainage and leading to consideration of surgical intervention. Previous studies have demonstrated that intrapleural administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) combined with human recombinant DNase can improve fluid drainage and reduce surgery for patients with loculated parapneumonic effusions; however, the efficacy of this treatment has not been evaluated for complicated pleural effusions attributed to intra-abdominal inflammation. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the safety and efficacy of tPA/DNase for 17 pleural effusions associated with nonmalignant intra-abdominal pathology that did not drain adequately after placement of one or more chest tubes. METHODS: Efficacy was measured by comparing post- to pretreatment fluid drainage rates, volumetric assessment of pleural fluid on radiographic images before and after treatment, and clinical improvement, including the need for surgical intervention. Symptomatic relief was assessed using the Borg scale for breathlessness. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After a median of two doses of tPA/DNase, 23.5% of patients had chest pain and none had pleural bleeding. The volume of pleural fluid drained increased from a median of 325 ml to 890 ml per 24 hours after therapy (P = 0.018). The area of pleural space opacity on chest radiographs decreased from a median of 42.8-17.8% of the hemithorax (P = 0.001). tPA/DNase reduced the pleural fluid volume on chest computed tomographic imaging from a median of 294.4 ml to 116.1 ml. Borg scores improved from a median of 3 (interquartile range = 1-6) to 0 (interquartile range = 0-2) after therapy (P = 0.001). The median duration of chest tube placement and hospital stay were 4 and 11 days, respectively. Two patients required surgical intervention for lung entrapment. Overall, treatment was considered successful for 88.2% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective case series suggests that intrapleural tPA/DNase can be safe and effective for patients with complicated pleural effusions attributed to abdominal pathology that do not drain adequately after chest tube placement. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the combination of tPA and DNase is more effective than tPA for this indication.