Patients' perceptions of subcutaneous delivery of darbepoetin alfa by autoinjector prefilled pen versus prefilled syringe: a randomized, crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous injection of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for the correction of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease is well recognized. Different delivery devices are available, although their impact on patient-reported outcomes is limited. OBJECTIVES: Subcutaneous delivery of darbepoetin alfa via an autoinjector prefilled pen (PFP) and prefilled syringe (PFS) were compared and assessed according to patient-rated preferences and perceptions. METHODS: In this single-center, randomized, open-label, double-crossover study, patients continued using the PFS for 4 injections or were switched to the PFP for the same number of injections, after which they were switched to the alternative device. Following further 4 injections using the new device, patients were switched back to the initial device. Questionnaires were administered at the end of each series of injections for each device and at the start and end of the study. RESULTS: For overall device preference, the majority (62%) of patients responded with PFP, whereas 32% preferred the PFS mode of delivery. This preference for PFP was driven by a perception of increased convenience and ease of use compared with PFS. No significant differences in pain scores were noted between the 2 devices. Most patients rated both devices as being "easy" or "extremely easy" to use and were either "satisfied" or "extremely satisfied." CONCLUSION: When given the choice, most patients preferred the PFP mode of administration compared with PFS due to convenience and ease of use. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ACTRN12611000839909.

Oseltamivir-resistant pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in a severely ill patient: the first Australian case.

After a 10-day course of oral oseltamivir for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza infection, a renal transplant recipient developed rapid-onset severe primary viral pneumonia due to oseltamivir-resistant virus. Respiratory failure progressed despite high-dose oral oseltamivir, nebulised zanamivir and cessation of immunosuppressive medications, but his condition improved with intravenous zanamivir. He subsequently died of non-respiratory complications. This is the first case of oseltamivir-resistant pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Australia and the first report of resistance in a solid organ transplant recipient.

Dreams for the second half of life.

Dreams in midlife and old age can reveal a process of spiritual growth described by Tornstam as gerotranscencence. This same process of inner growth has also been described in theoretical terms as self-actualization (Maslow), ego-integrity (Erikson), and individuation (Jung). The process is illustrated through dream symbols of transpersonal development, displaying the duality of self-fulfillment and self- transcendence. In lifespan development terms this process can be studied in detail in the autobiography of Helen Luke. The interpretation of dreams has importance for what has recently come to be known as Conscious Aging.

Oral nutritional supplementation increases caloric and protein intake in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and is associated with a poor prognosis. Attempts to improve nutritional status with enteral supplements have yielded poor results. METHODS: We performed a crossover-design trial on 13 PD patients to investigate whether these patients reduce their food intake after drinking oral nutritional supplements. Patients attended three visits in which they were administered a standard oral nutritional supplement either 2 hours or 30 minutes before lunch or a placebo drink 30 minutes before lunch. Lunch was provided as a self-select buffet-style meal, and food intake was measured. Total intake was calculated by adding the nutritional content of the oral supplement. RESULTS: Patients showed poor food intake, with mean values equaling only 18% of the recommended daily intake for calories and 34% for protein. Drinking the supplement 2 hours before lunch resulted in a significant increase compared with the placebo visit in total caloric (430 to 843 kcal; P < 0.001) and protein intake (27.6 to 41.3 g; P = 0.006). No significant difference in total intake was detected between drinking the supplement 2 hours versus 30 minutes before lunch. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that oral nutritional supplements administered before a meal may significantly increase caloric and protein intakes of PD patients.

Prevention of tunneled hemodialysis catheter-related infections using catheter-restricted filling with gentamicin and citrate: a randomized controlled study.

Tunneled catheters are widely used for the provision of hemodialysis. Long-term catheter survival is limited by tunneled catheter-related infections (CRI). This study assesses the efficacy of catheter-restricted filling with gentamicin and citrate in preventing CRI in hemodialysis patients. A double-blind randomized study was conducted to compare heparin (5000 U/ml) with gentamicin/citrate (40 mg/ml and 3.13% citrate; ratio 2:1) as catheter-lock solutions. A total of 112 tunneled catheters in 83 patients were enrolled at the time of catheter insertion for commencement or maintenance of hemodialysis. The primary end point was CRI. Catheter malfunction, defined as blood flow rate of <200 ml/min for three consecutive dialyses and/or the use of urokinase, was also assessed as a secondary end point. Infection rates per 100 catheter-days were 0.03 in the gentamicin group versus 0.42 in the heparin group (P = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed mean infection-free catheter survival of 282 d (95% CI, 272 to 293 d) in the gentamicin group versus 181 d (95% CI, 124 to 237 d) in the heparin group (log rank, 9.58; P = 0.002). Cox regression analyses showed a relative risk for infection-free catheter survival of 0.10 (95% CI, 0.01 to 0.92) in the gentamicin group when adjusted for gender, race, diabetes mellitus, catheter malfunction, and hemoglobin (P = 0.042). The incidence of catheter malfunction was not significantly different between groups. Predialysis gentamicin levels were significantly higher in patients randomized to gentamicin (gentamicin/citrate: median 2.8 mg/L [range, 0.6 to 3.5 mg/L], n = 5; heparin: median <0.2 mg/L [range <0.2 to 0.2 mg/L], n = 5; P = 0.008). Tunneled hemodialysis catheter-restricted filling with gentamicin and citrate is a highly effective strategy for prevention of CRI. Although citrate as a catheter-lock solution provides adequate anticoagulation for the interdialytic period, gentamicin levels suggest significant risk for chronic aminoglycoside exposure and associated ototoxicity. Before this technique is adopted, these preliminary observations warrant replication in future studies that will examine the efficacy and safety of lower doses of gentamicin or alternative agents with a reduced potential for toxicity.