Impact of weight loss after treatment on survival outcomes of overweight and obese patients with early­stage endometrial cancer.

Despite the fact that obesity is the main risk factor for endometrial cancer, there is limited evidence regarding the effects of body weight change on overweight and obese women treated for early-stage endometrial can its impact on cancer outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was performed including all overweight and obese patients with early-stage type-I endometrial cancer that were treated at the Insular University Hospital of Las Palmas (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain) between January 2007 and December 2019. Body weight change at 12 months of treatment was evaluated, as well as its impact on cancer outcomes. Weight loss ≥5% was independently evaluated regarding its impact on survival. A total of 526 women were studied, of which 152 (28.90%) were overweight (BMI ≥25 and <30) and 374 (71.10%) were obese (BMI ≥30). The median follow-up was 76.17 months, during which time 77 (14.64%) women died. In the survivor group, body weight at initial diagnosis was 86.4±17.9 kg compared with 84.6±16.4 kg 1 year after treatment, which corresponded to a significant mean weight loss of 1.47 kg (P<0.001). However, in the group of non-survivors, body weight at initial diagnosis was 84.7±15.7 kg compared with 84.7±14.6 kg 1 year after treatment, which demonstrated a non-significant mean weight loss of 0.63 kg (P=0.180). When comparing between the patients who maintained or gained ≥5% weight and those who lost ≥5% weight, there were no significant differences taking into account the whole cohort and follow-up time; however, when adjusting for the period between 32 and 98 months, survival was significantly higher in those patients that lost ≥5% of their initial body weight (P=0.025; log-rank test). Based on the final univariate and cer and multivariate analyses, body weight change at 12 months was not indicated to be a factor significantly affecting overall survival; adjusted hazard ratio was 1.01 (95% CI 0.97-1.05, P=0.723). In conclusion, even if greater weight loss is observed in patients with endometrial cancer that survive the disease, no significant impact on survival outcomes is observed based on multivariate analysis.

Effects of Oral Nutritional Supplementation on Patients with Venous Ulcers: A Clinical Trial.

Background: The dosage and safety of nutritional supplements for patients with venous ulcers are still not well established. Aim: To evaluate the effects of a high calorie, high protein, arginine-, zinc-, and vitamins A, C, and E-enriched nutritional supplement on the biochemical profile, dietary intake, anthropometry, muscle strength, and characteristics of lesions of patients with venous ulcers. Methods: A controlled before−after clinical trial with a four-week follow-up involved 27 patients with venous ulcers under outpatient treatment in Brazil. It was administered in two to three doses per day (200 mL each) of a high-calorie and high-protein supplement enriched with arginine, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E. Patients were assessed for anthropometric parameters, dietary intake, biochemical tests, and healing conditions according to the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH). Results: It was observed that an increase in energy and protein supply led to an adequate intake of immunonutrients (zinc and vitamins A, C, and E), increased body weight, increased body mass index, and stronger handgrip strength. The injury area and the score on the PUSH notably decreased after the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The administered supplement, at the tested dosage, improved the nutritional status and characteristics of lesions in patients with venous ulcers.

Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire - Brasil: estudo bicêntrico de confiabilidade / Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire - Brasil: estudio bicéntrico de confiabilidad / Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire - Brazil: bicentric study of reliability

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a consistência interna e estabilidade do Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire - Brasil (CCVUQ-Brasil). Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa metodológica realizada em duas regiões do Brasil (Goiânia e Niterói), no período de junho de 2016 a junho de 2018. A amostra para a consistência interna foi composta por 112 pessoas e para a estabilidade foram avaliados 74 participantes, todos com úlcera venosa atendidas na rede pública de saúde. Para análise da consistência interna foi calculado o alfa de Cronbach. Para estabilidade, o questionário foi aplicado duas vezes com intervalo de 30 minutos e para sua análise foi calculado o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI). Resultados: O CCVUQ-Brasil apresentou alfa de Cronbach para pontuação total do questionário igual 0,92 e para os domínios (interação social, atividades domésticas, estética e estado emocional) foi acima de 0,70. A estabilidade foi excelente (CCI=0,96) para pontuação total do questionário e para a maioria dos domínios. Conclusão: O CCVUQ - Brasil obteve boa consistência interna considerando os dois cenários estudados e excelente estabilidade no cenário Goiânia.

Resumen Objetivo: Verificar la consistencia interna y estabilidad del Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire - Brasil (CCVUQ-Brasil). Métodos: Se trata de una investigación metodológica realizada en dos regiones de Brasil (Goiânia y Niterói), en el período de junio de 2016 a junio de 2018. La muestra para la consistencia interna fue compuesta por 112 personas y, para la estabilidad, 74 pacientes fueron estudiados, todos con úlcera venosa atendidos en la red pública de salud. Para analizar la consistencia interna se calculó el alfa de Cronbach. Para la estabilidad, se aplicó el cuestionario dos veces con un intervalo de 30 minutos y para analizarlo se calculó el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). Resultados: El CCVUQ-Brasil presentó alfa de Cronbach igual a 0,92 en la puntuación total del cuestionario y en los dominios (interacción social, actividades domésticas, estética y estado emocional) fue superior a 0,70. La estabilidad fue excelente (CCI=0,96) en la puntuación total del cuestionario y en la mayoría de los dominios. Conclusión: El CCVUQ - Brasil obtuvo una buena consistencia interna considerando los dos escenarios estudiados y una excelente estabilidad en el escenario Goiânia.

Abstract Objective To verify the internal consistency and stability of the Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire - Brazil (CCVUQ-Brazil). Methods This was a methodological study conducted in two cities from different regions of Brazil (Goiania and Niteroi), from June 2016 to June 2018. The sample for internal consistency was composed of 112 individuals and for stability 74 participants were evaluated. All the individuals presented with a venous ulcer and received care in the public health network. For internal consistency analysis the Cronbach's alpha was calculated. The questionnaire was administered twice with a 30 minutes interval and for the stability analysis the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. Results The CCVUQ-Brazil presented a Cronbach's alpha score of 0.92, and for the domains (social interaction, domestic activities, aesthetics and emotional state) it was above 0.70. The stability was excellent (ICC = 0.96) for total score of the questionnaire and for the majority of the domains. Conclusion The CCVUQ- Brazil showed good internal consistency, considering the two locations analyzed, and excellent stability in the Goiania.

Are there clinical signs and symptoms of infection to indicate the presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in venous ulcers?

The selection of topical and systemic therapies for the treatment of venous ulcers with signs of infection is challenging and should be accompanied by specific precautionary measures to protect against cross-contamination in the presence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. However, there are still no clinical indicators for this situation, and confirmation of resistant strains occurs through culture and sensitivity, which can take up to 14 days. During this period, protective measures may no longer be taken, contributing to the spread of these pathogens. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between clinical signs and symptoms of infection in venous ulcers and the presence of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and/or Pseudomonas spp. A cross-sectional study was developed including 69 patients with 98 venous ulcers. Clinical observation protocol was applied to detect infection indicators established by the European Wound Management Association and microbiological analysis of samples of the lesions. Fisher's exact test and χ2 were used for analyses (P < 0.05). Two indicators of infection predominated (f >70%): discoloration of the opaque type and/or dark brick red and increased exudate volume; 31 (31.6%) ulcer samples showed positive culture for the bacteria studied. There was no relationship between signs and symptoms of infection and the presence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Taking into account the percentage of lesions with resistant strains, for safe care, contact precautionary measures should be implemented in the treatment rooms, in addition to standard precautions.

Nursing Case Management and Glycemic Control Among Brazilians With Type 2 Diabetes: Pragmatic Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that requires ongoing, life-long care in order to be controlled. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to assess the effect of nursing case management on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels compared to usual care in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to determine if effects of nursing case management varied by gender, age, duration of disease, education, and income. METHODS: This is a pragmatic clinical trial, conducted in the municipality of Bandeirantes, Paraná, Brazil, in 2011 and 2012. Eighty individuals were recruited and randomized equally to receive nursing case management or usual care. Covariates were sociodemographic and clinical factors. The outcome was HbA1c measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: The sample consisted predominately of women; most had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus within the previous 5 years. Mean age was 50.14 (SD = 7.00), with 5.27 (SD = 4.39) years of schooling and an average HbA1c of 9.90% (SD = 2.49). Hemoglobin A1c was reduced from an average of 10.33% to 9.0% (p < .01) in the nursing case management group and from 9.57% to 8.93% (p = .05) in the usual care group; the group by time effect was not significant. Case management effects varied by younger age (p = .05), duration of type 2 diabetes less than 5 years (p = .03), up to 4 years of schooling (p = .04), and being in the lowest-income stratum (p = .02). DISCUSSION: Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction of HbA1c at 6 and 12 months following baseline. The difference in proportional reduction of HbA1c between groups was not statistically significant.

Open-label clinical trial comparing the clinical and economic effectiveness of using a polyurethane film surgical dressing with gauze surgical dressings in the care of post-operative surgical wounds.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common postoperative complication and can cause avoidable morbidity and excessive costs for the health service. Novel dressings, designed specifically for postoperative wounds, can help to reduce the risk of SSI and other complications such as blistering. This study compared the use of a new polyurethane film surgical dressing (Opsite Post-Op Visible, Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK) with gauze and tape in the management of postoperative wounds. The results show that the polyurethane film dressing results in a significant reduction in SSI (1·4% versus 6·6%, P = 0·006) as well as a reduction in other postoperative wound complications (e.g. blistering and erythema). Economic analysis conducted alongside the study suggests that these improved outcomes can be achieved at a lower treatment cost than gauze and tape dressings. The modest incremental cost of the polyurethane film surgical dressing is easily offset by the reduction in the costs related to treating SSI and other wound complications associated with gauze and tape dressings.

[Care for ulcers having diverse etiology prospective study on PermaFoam]. / Tratamiento de úlceras de diversa etiología. Estudio prospectivo sobre PermaFoam.

PermaFoam, the dressing under study, is characterized as a polyurethane foam having gradient pores which, besides all the aforementioned characteristics, makes it possible to: rapidly absorb large quantity of seepage or exudation, cell remains and viscous seepage thanks to a layer of large size pores that are in contact with the wound; distribute and retain seepage in an intermediate layer of this dressing which is composed of pores having a smaller diameter; and, through a final layer characterized by an even smaller pore which permits a high degree of semi-permeability and adaptability to the distinct locales where this dressing needs be applied. With the objective to evaluate the usefulness of this dressing under study for the cicatrization of wounds having diverse etiology this research project was carried out. Secondary objectives included: reducing the surface of a wound, respecting the perilesional skin, estimating the ease of handling and applying this dressing, and identifying the most outstanding qualities this dressing provides.

Preventing pressure ulcers on the heel: a Canadian cost study.

An adaptation of a clinical study of 130 patients at risk of developing a pressure ulcer on the heels was performed using Canadian costs. The aim of the study was to compare the cost effectiveness of a specially shaped hydrocellular dressing (Allevyn Heel) versus that of a protective heel bandage (Soffban and gauze) in pressure ulcer prevention over an 8-week period.

Dressing-related pain in patients with chronic wounds: an international patient perspective.

This cross-sectional international survey assessed patients' perceptions of their wound pain. A total of 2018 patients (57% female) from 15 different countries with a mean age of 68.6 years (SD = 15.4) participated. The wounds were categorised into ten different types with a mean wound duration of 19.6 months (SD = 51.8). For 2018 patients, 3361 dressings/compression systems were being used, with antimicrobials being reported most frequently (n= 605). Frequency of wound-related pain was reported as 32.2%, 'never' or 'rarely', 31.1%, 'quite often' and 36.6%, 'most' or 'all of the time', with venous and arterial ulcers associated with more frequent pain (P= 0.002). All patients reported that 'the wound itself' was the most painful location (n= 1840). When asked if they experienced dressing-related pain, 286 (14.7%) replied 'most of the time' and 334 (17.2%) reported pain 'all of the time'; venous, mixed and arterial ulcers were associated with more frequent pain at dressing change (P < 0.001). Eight hundred and twelve (40.2%) patients reported that it took <1 hour for the pain to subside after a dressing change, for 449 (22.2%) it took 1-2 hours, for 192 (9.5%) it took 3-5 hours and for 154 (7.6%) patients it took more than 5 hours. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-100) giving a mean score of 44.5 (SD = 30.5, n= 1981). Of the 1141 who reported that they generally took pain relief, 21% indicated that they did not feel it was effective. Patients were asked to rate six symptoms associated with living with a chronic wound; 'pain' was given the highest mean score of 3.1 (n= 1898). In terms of different types of daily activities, 'overdoing things' was associated with the highest mean score (mean = 2.6, n= 1916). During the stages of the dressing change procedure; 'touching/handling the wound' was given the highest mean score of 2.9, followed by cleansing and dressing removal (n= 1944). One thousand four hundred and eighty-five (80.15%) patients responded that they liked to be actively involved in their dressing changes, 1141 (58.15%) responded that they were concerned about the long-term side-effects of medication, 790 (40.3%) of patient indicated that the pain at dressing change was the worst part of living with a wound. This study adds substantially to our knowledge of how patients experience wound pain and gives us the opportunity to explore cultural differences in more detail.

[Infections and chronic wounds: current state of knowledge]. / Infección y heridas crónicas. Estado actual del conocimiento.

An infection in a wound, whether serious or chronic, is one of the main problems and complications which can occur a reason why infections have always caused worry. Although the published evidence regarding infections in wounds is very scarce, in recent years many advances have taken place in the determination of some concepts such as "TIME" or the preparation of the bed of a wound or in the use of silver as a very apt element in some situations. The following article goes into detail about these topics and forms part of the content the authors presented in the VI National Symposium on Bed Sores and Chronic Wounds.