Red Cell Distribution Width as a Predictor of Functional Outcome in Rehabilitation of Older Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a prognostic marker in vascular diseases. While increased RDW predicts mortality and outcomes after ischemic stroke, evidence regarding its prognostic significance in stroke rehabilitation is lacking. Thus, the present study investigated the relationship of RDW with stroke, orthopedic, and deconditioning rehabilitation outcomes. METHODS: This prospective comparative study included three groups (stroke, orthopedic, and deconditioning) of older adult patients hospitalized for rehabilitation. The patients in each group were divided into two subgroups according to whether they had high (>14.5%) or normal (≤14.5%) RDW levels on admission. Functional outcome was assessed by total and motor FIM (Functional Independence Measure) score changes and efficiency at admission and on discharge. RESULTS: Of the 234 eligible patients, 108 (46.2%) had high RDW. Of the 50 stroke rehabilitation patients, 13 (26%) had high RDW. FIM change and efficiency scores were significantly lower in patients with high RDW only in the stroke rehabilitation group. However, multiple linear regression analysis showed that high RDW was not independently associated with total and motor FIM gain or total and motor FIM efficiency. CONCLUSION: High RDW levels on admission to rehabilitation were associated with poor rehabilitation outcome in stroke patients but were not an independent risk factor for rehabilitation outcomes.

Prevalence of delirium in geriatric rehabilitation in Israel and its influence on rehabilitation outcomes in patients with hip fractures.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of delirium among geriatric patients with hip fractures and to examine the influence of delirium on rehabilitation outcomes. A prospective study was carried out among 95 hip fracture patients admitted to an orthopedic geriatric rehabilitation ward. At admission, the following data were gathered: sociodemographic data, prefracture Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Mini-Mental State Examination, comorbidities, and medication. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method. The severity of delirium among patients with a positive score on the Confusion Assessment Method was assessed using the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98). Rehabilitation outcomes were evaluated by comparing FIM and ADL at admission and at discharge. The research findings showed that the prevalence of delirium among patients was 30%. In addition, a significant difference was found between patients who developed delirium and those who did not. Patients who developed delirium were mostly Jewish, with lower ADL levels at admission, more significant renal failure, lower levels of FIM, and lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores. Furthermore, FIM at discharge and delta FIM were lower among patients who developed delirium than among those who did not. The research conclusions indicated that the functional recovery of patients with delirium is slower. Therefore, it is important to adjust the therapeutic approach to these patients.

Comparison between pediatricians and family practitioners in the use of the prokinetic cisapride for gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.

OBJECTIVE: The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition have recently issued treatment guidelines for the use of cisapride in children. Our hypothesis was that cisapride is misused in the community and is not prescribed according to suggested recommendations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of pediatricians and family practitioners regarding the prescribing practice and adverse effects of cisapride. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was sent to a randomly selected group of pediatricians and family practitioners in Northern Israel. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the knowledge of the physician regarding the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and the use of cisapride in children (indications, dosages, duration of treatment, limitations in certain age groups, the need for pretreatment laboratory tests, interactions with other drugs, and contraindications). Replies were scored from 0 to 100 according to the treatment guidelines of both the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. In addition, 2 questions dealt with the subjective efficacy of the drug and its adverse events. RESULTS: The knowledge scores were 62% and 51% in the pediatricians and family practitioners, respectively. Other major findings were as follows: 1) 40% of pediatricians and 65% of family practitioners do not prescribe the recommended dose of cisapride, 2) 6% of pediatricians and 42% of family practitioners prescribe cisapride for infantile colic, 3) only 50% of pediatricians and 22% of family practitioners were aware of possible interactions with macrolides, and 4) only 31% of pediatricians and 54% of family practitioners were aware that cisapride might cause prolongation of the QT interval. Only minor adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of both pediatricians and family practitioners in the use of cisapride in children is suboptimal. It is essential to improve the education of community physicians to reduce the potential for adverse events arising from the misuse of this prokinetic agent.