Indicators of self-rated health in the Canadian population with diabetes.

AIMS: Self-rated health is a widely used measure of general health assessing risk factors and poor health outcomes in health surveys and clinical settings. The characteristics of self-rated health may be different in populations with specific chronic conditions, such as populations with diabetes. This study investigates the characteristics of self-rated health in a Canadian community sample of people with diabetes. METHODS: Self-rated health was obtained from 1837 adults with Type 2 diabetes participating in the Montreal Diabetes Health and Well-Being Study. Global disability and depression were assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II and the Patient Health Questionnaire, respectively. Logistic regressions studied the association between self-rated health and depression, disability, diabetes-related characteristics, socio-demographic factors, social support and lifestyle-related behaviours in both men and women. RESULTS: Participants' answers were dichotomized into excellent/very good/ good (78%) and fair/poor (22%) self-rated health. Both depression (men: odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.6; women: odds ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9) and disability (men: odds ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-1.9; women: odds ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-1.9) were associated with fair/poor self-rated health. The associations remained unchanged even after controlling for diabetes characteristics. After controlling for confounding variables, chronic conditions were associated with fair/poor self-rated health in both men and women. Obesity was associated with fair/poor self-rated health in women only, while lifestyle behaviours such as being physically active and alcohol consumption were associated with good/very good/excellent self-rated health in men. CONCLUSIONS: In men and women, depression and disability are important factors that are associated with self-rated health in a large sample of individuals with Type 2 diabetes.

[Reversed carotid filter for the prevention of distal emboli during an iliac recanalization]. / Filtre carotidien inversé pour la protection des embolies distales lors d'une recanalisation iliaque.

We describe the use of a carotid filter in preventing distal emboli during the recanalization of an occluded left iliac stent two months earlier. The filter was reversed and introduced through an ipsilateral 6 French sheath along its 0.014" guidewire and placed against the occluded stent. The stent is recanalized using a hydrophilic guidewire controlaterally and a new stent was inserted into the old one. The filter was retracted into the introducer by pulling cut the special 0.014 guidewire, with a 0.018" diameter tip, and the whole system was removed via the left common femoral artery. Many emboli were found in the removed filter. We noted that the recanalization of an occluded stent causes more distal embolization than the native iliac artery. This technique allows placing the filter between the embolic lesion and the distal arterial territory, without passing through the lesion, especially since fibrinolysis may not be efficient in 2-months-old occlusions.

Spontaneous cholesterol embolization. A rarely reported entity.

Cholesterol embolization sometimes occurs after invasive procedures involving manipulation of the aorta or its major branches, and less commonly occurs after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. Rarer still is spontaneous cholesterol embolization, a case of which we now report. Our patient experienced peripheral embolization, the origin of which was traced to the infrarenal aortic segment and the common iliac vessels. Aortoiliac reconstruction was successful; we believe that surgical management of this condition should be performed in selected cases.

Spontaneous cholesterol embolization--a rare clinical entity.

Embolization of cholesterol crystals from atheromatous plaques is a rare entity most often seen after invasive procedures involving manipulation of the aorta. Spontaneous CE has been reported in very rare cases. Peripheral signs include livedo reticularis, muscle pain and palpable pulses. Depending on the site of the responsible plaque, emboli may involve visceral organs and produce a systemic illness. Diagnosis is confirmed using skin, muscle and/or renal biopsies. Surgery is recommended when the atheromatous disease is localized to a unique segment which can be replaced.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in adults--a surgical review.

The authors report a case of surgical repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in a 36-year-old male. This is a very rare disease in adulthood since over 80% of the infants die before one year of age. Fifty-two surgical cases were previously reported in the literature. An extensive review of these cases is presented. Surgery is the only treatment and offers excellent short- and long-term results.