[Strategic plan for reduction of hospital stay in renal transplantation]. / Plan estratégico para la reducción de la estancia hospitalaria en trasplante renal.

Since January 2015 we have carried out a multiple-intervention strategic plan to reduce hospital stay in renal transplant recipients. The main objective of this study is to compare results of renal transplantation before and after putting into effect this plan in terms of graft and patient survival, readmissions and incidence of acute rejection during the first year post transplantation. In this retrospective analysis we included all patients 18 years of age or older who were transplanted at our institution. The strategic plan resulted in a significant reduction of hospital stay of renal recipients from 13.5 days in the pre-plan group (n=97) to 4.6 days in the post-plan group (n=62; p≤0.0001). The incidence of acute rejection during the first year was similar (pre-plan group=14.4% vs. post-plan group=16% [p=0.77]) as it was graft survival (88% vs. 90% [p=0.71]) and patient survival (95% vs. 98% [p=0.37]), respectively. The multiple-intervention strategic plan has significantly reduced the hospital stay of patients after renal transplantation without affecting graft or patient survival, which are comparable to those internationally published, and without jeopardizing patient's safety.

The early onset of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis has a strong genetic influence: role of HLA and KIR genes.

We have previously reported a strong association between HLA-DRB1*1301 and type 1 pediatric autoimmune hepatitis (PAH) and between HLA-DR*0405 and adult autoimmune hepatitis (AAH). Because human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors are known to be associated with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, we investigated the frequencies of HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and KIR genes in 144 type 1 PAH and 86 AAH patients, which were compared with 273 healthy controls. We demonstrated in PAH the increased frequency of the functional form of KIR2DS4-Full Length (KIR2DS4-FL), which in combination with HLA-DRB1*1301 revealed a strong synergistic effect (odds ratio=36.5). PAH-KIR2DS4-FL+ subjects have shown an increased frequency of their putative HLA-C*02, 04 and 06 ligands. KIR analysis of PAH also revealed a decreased frequency of KIR2DL2 gene and its ligand. In contrast, AAH cases have shown a weaker increased frequency of KIR2DS4-FL, a lack of synergistic effect with HLA class II antigens and a moderate association with HLA-DRB1*0405. Of note, we demonstrated that liver T cells have a unique pattern of KIR expression. These results show a KIR gene involved in autoimmune hepatitis and suggest a stronger genetic influence for the early onset type I autoimmune hepatitis.

Evaluation of a new test for candidiasis diagnosis in elderly people.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new test for candidiasis diagnosis (fungi-dent color test) in an institutionalised elderly population. BACKGROUND: Yeasts normally exist in the human body flora and exploit a situation of weakness in the host. Epidemiologic analyses of yeast infection in the oral cavity showed that the most frequently involved species were Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 73 persons in the short-term and long-term geriatric department of the Montpellier hospital. Oral examinations were performed and the presence of Candida was evaluated: the fungi-dent Color diagnostic method was compared both to the classical culture analysis method, considered as the gold standard, and to the visual clinical diagnostic. RESULTS: The fungi test yielded a sensitivity value of 64.6% (CI: 53.6% - 75.6%) and a specificity of 96.0% (CI: 92.0% - 100%), whereas the diagnostic method through clinical examination disclosed only 22.5% candidiasis. The area under the ROC curve was equal to 0.81. The mean pH value was significantly higher when candidiasis was present (6.15 vs 5.78, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Statistical analyses showed that the Fungi-dent-color test was eligible to be validated for community use, with better characteristics than a routine clinical diagnosis and with a reasonably rapid and reliable diagnostic outcome.

Assessment of oral status and oro-pharyngeal candidosis in elderly in short-term hospital care.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prevalence of oral candidosis and predisposing conditions in hospitalized elderly patients. DESIGN: We examined 104 elder patients recently hospitalized in two geriatric hospitals for shortterm hospital care. METHODS: Information was collected on patients' sex, age, mental and physical disabilities, smoking habits, medical prescriptions, oral pathologies, denture wearing, oral hygiene habits and oral hygiene level. Quality of existing dentures was evaluated. Oral mucosae were examined for clinical signs suggesting oral candidosis. Semiquantitative cultures of Candida were carried out to confirm the clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The diagnosis of oral candidosis was confirmed in 18/54 patients showing clinical signs of oral candidosis. Confirmed oral candidosis was associated with the presence of other infections, proteo-caloric denutrition, ongoing antibiotic therapy, and denture wearing. Dentures in patients with confirmed oral candidosis at poorer technical quality of the acrylic surface in contact with the underlying mucosa. CONCLUSION: The wearing of removable dentures is a major predisposing factor for oro-pharyngeal candidosis of elderly patients in short-term hospital care. Appropriate oral and denture hygiene measures as well as denture wearing habits should be introduced or maintained to prevent this infection.

Mandibular vestibuloplasty and gingival grafts using impacted posts.

In the presence of an atrophic endentulous mandible, the stability of the mandibular denture is related to the quality of the osteomucosal support and the muscles surrounding it. A new procedure for vestibuloplasty is described that combines a periosteal flap and a gingival graft. Titanium impacted posts are used for fixation and the stabilization of the flap and graft. This clinical report presents the results for 12 patients. Clinical appraisal indicates that the technique appears to improve the anteroposterior stability of the mandibular denture, increasing the attached mucosa and offering better long-term results. The management of the gingival and muscular environment can improve the peri-implant area.

How Swedish obstetricians manage hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. A questionnaire study.

OBJECTIVE: To study treatment of hypertension in pregnancy in Sweden and compare our results with a similar study published in 1981. METHODS: A multiple choice questionnaire was sent to 92 obstetricians throughout Sweden and 88% responded. RESULTS: Most Swedish obstetricians would treat a woman in the second trimester with blood pressure 140/95 mmHg without antihypertensive medication (83%) in the out-patient clinic (81%). The corresponding figures according to a similar study published in 1981 were 33% and 71% of obstetricians, respectively. Almost all obstetricians (95%) would give antihypertensive treatment if the blood pressure was 170/110 mmHg or more. Betablockers and hydralazine were the most commonly used drugs. Sixteen per cent of obstetricians would use calcium antagonists, drugs not available in the previous study. Treatment with diuretics, methyldopa or diazepam in hypertension was rarely used. Eight per cent of obstetricians would give low-dose aspirin to patients with mild hypertension and 20% to patients with severe hypertension. Fourteen per cent of obstetricians would stop all kind of antihypertensive medication and frequently observe patients with essential hypertension. CONCLUSION: Antihypertensive therapy and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy show a great disparity among Swedish obstetricians. National strategies might improve the morbidity and mortality associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.