[Thrombosis and cancer: Awareness of private practitioners and patients in Poitou-Charentes, a French region]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to enhance awareness among healthcare professionals about the application of guidelines relating to the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients.

METHODS

This collective approach involved: the Regional Health Agency (ARS), the Unions of Representatives of Healthcare Professionals (URPS), the Observatory of Drugs, the Medical Devices and Therapeutic Innovation agency (OMEDIT), the regional Oncology Network and specialist physicians. Performance indicators were defined to evaluate the actions performed.

RESULTS

Multidisciplinary information meetings were organized. A standardized patient's folder was proposed in all healthcare institutions dealing with cancer, as a link between healthcare professionals and patients. Information brochures were prepared for healthcare professionals and patients. Web-based surveys were taken among healthcare professionals to evaluate changes in their knowledge and practices before and after the first actions taken.

CONCLUSION

This collective approach improved the awareness of health professionals about care practices for VTE in cancer patients.

The Clinical Relevance of Antifibrillarin (anti-U3-RNP) Autoantibodies in Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease associated with several antinuclear autoantibodies useful to diagnosis and prognosis. The aim of the present multicentric study was to determine the clinical relevance of antifibrillarin autoantibodies (AFA) in patients with SSc. The clinical features of 37 patients with SSc positive for AFA (AFA+) and 139 SSc patients without AFA (AFA-) were collected retrospectively from medical records to enable a comparison between AFA- and AFA+ patients. Antifibrillarin autoantibodies were screened by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using HEp2 cells and identified by an in-house Western blot technique and/or an EliA test. Comparing AFA+ and AFA- patients, AFA+ patients were significantly younger at disease onset (36.9 versus 42.9; P = 0.02), more frequently male (P = 0.02) and of Afro-Caribbean descent (65% versus 7.7%; P < 0.001). At diagnosis, the Rodnan skin score evaluating the cutaneous manifestations was higher (13.3 versus 8.7; P = 0.01) and myositis was also more common in the AFA+ group (31.4% versus 12.2%; P < 0.01). Patients with AFA+ were not associated with diffuse cutaneous SSc or with lung involvement and no difference in survival was observed. Antifibrillarin autoantibodies are associated with patients of Afro-Caribbean origin and can identify patients with SSc who are younger at disease onset and display a higher prevalence of myositis.

[Fetal scalp pH during labor: Which threshold for intervention?]

OBJECTIVE

In case of abnormal fetal heart rate, there is no consensus on the decision threshold pH scalp leading to a rapid birth. The objective of this study was to compare neonatal issues and cesarean rate in two maternity using different decision thresholds of scalp pH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comparative retrospective study conducted in two level III maternity units between January 2013 and May 2014, one maternity unit used a decision threshold of 7.20 (maternity unit 7,20), and the other one a threshold of 7.25 (maternity unit 7,25). An adverse neonatal outcome was defined by a composite endpoint of neonatal morbidity. The risk of cesarean was assessed using a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and four patients were included in the maternity unit 7,20 and 163 patients in the maternity 7,25. Adverse neonatal outcome was similar in both maternities (25% vs. 30,1%; P=0.4). The average pH at birth was similar in both maternities, as well as the Apgar score at 5minutes and neonatal transfer rates. However, BE<-12 was more frequent in maternity using 7,20 scalp pH threshold (7% vs. 0%; P<0.01). The cesarean rate was higher in maternity 7,25 (adjusted OR=2.23 95% CI [1.17-4.25]).

CONCLUSION

It seems that a decisional threshold fixed to 7,20 could be used reasonably. It could allow to reduce cesarean rate. Other studies are, however, needed to confirm that such threshold of 7,20 does not increase the risk of severe acidosis.

Total hip replacement in young non-ambulatory cerebral palsy patients

INTRODUCTION

The everyday life of a non-ambulatory adolescent or young adult with cerebral palsy can be severely impaired by a painful or stiff hip. The usual surgical solutions such as proximal femoral resection (PFR) are not entirely satisfactory for pain relief, and are mutilating.

HYPOTHESIS

A retrospective study assessed the impact of total hip replacement (THR) on such impairment, on the hypothesis that it is more effective than PFR in relieving pain, without aggravating disability.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The surgical technique consisted in implanting a dual-mobility prosthesis with uncemented acetabular component and cemented femur, after upper femoral shaft shortening and short hip-spica cast immobilization. Forty THRs were performed in 33 patients, including 31 with multiple disability. Follow-up assessment focused on change in functional status, pain, and range of motion.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 5 years. Pain was more or less entirely resolved. Improvement in range of motion was less striking, and there was no significant change in functional status. There were 2 general, 2 septic and 10 mechanical complications, 6 of which required surgical revision.

DISCUSSION

In non-ambulatory cerebral palsy, THR provided much better alleviation of pain than found with PFR treatment. It should be reserved for patients able to withstand fairly long surgery and with femur size compatible with implantation of a femoral component, however small.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study.

Case-Control Study of Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Hospitalizations in Older Adults, United States, 2010-2011

BACKGROUND

 Older adults are at increased risk of influenza-associated complications, including hospitalization, but influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) data are limited for this population. We conducted a case-control study to estimate VE to prevent laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations among adults aged ≥50 years in 11 US Emerging Infections Program hospitalization surveillance sites.

METHODS

 Cases were influenza infections (confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction) in adults aged ≥50 years hospitalized during the 2010-2011 influenza season, identified through Emerging Infections Program surveillance. Community controls, identified through home telephone lists, were matched by age group (±5 years), county, and month of hospitalization for case patients. Vaccination status was determined by self-report (with location and date) or medical records. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted VE (aVE) estimates (100 × [1 - adjusted odds ratio]), adjusting for sex, race, socioeconomic factors, smoking, chronic medical conditions, recent hospitalization for a respiratory condition, and functional status.

RESULTS

 Among case patients, 205 of 368 (55%) were vaccinated, compared with 489 of 773 controls (63%). Case patients were more likely to be of nonwhite race and more likely to have ≥2 chronic health conditions, a recent hospitalization for a respiratory condition, an income <$35 000, and a lower functional status score (P < .01 for all). The aVE was 56.8% (95% confidence interval, 34.1%-71.7%) and was similar across age groups, including adults ≥75 years (aVE, 57.3%; 15.9%-78.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

 During 2010-2011, influenza vaccination was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization among adults aged ≥50 years, regardless of age group.

Influenza-Related Hospitalizations and Poverty Levels - United States, 2010-2012

Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months in the United States, with recognition that some persons are at risk for more severe disease (1). However, there might be previously unrecognized demographic groups that also experience higher rates of serious influenza-related disease that could benefit from enhanced vaccination efforts. Socioeconomic status (SES) measures that are area-based can be used to define demographic groups when individual SES data are not available (2). Previous surveillance data analyses in limited geographic areas indicated that influenza-related hospitalization incidence was higher for persons residing in census tracts that included a higher percentage of persons living below the federal poverty level (3-5). To determine whether this association occurs elsewhere, influenza hospitalization data collected in 14 FluSurv-NET sites covering 27 million persons during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 influenza seasons were analyzed. The age-adjusted incidence of influenza-related hospitalizations per 100,000 person-years in high poverty (≥20% of persons living below the federal poverty level) census tracts was 21.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.7-22.4), nearly twice the incidence in low poverty (<5% of persons living below the federal poverty level) census tracts (10.9, 95% CI: 10.3-11.4). This relationship was observed in each surveillance site, among children and adults, and across racial/ethnic groups. These findings suggest that persons living in poorer census tracts should be targeted for enhanced influenza vaccination outreach and clinicians serving these persons should be made aware of current recommendations for use of antiviral agents to treat influenza (6).

Survey of influenza and other respiratory viruses diagnostic testing in US hospitals, 2012-2013

Background

Little is known about laboratory capacity to routinely diagnose influenza and other respiratory viruses at clinical laboratories and hospitals.

Aims

We sought to assess diagnostic practices for influenza and other respiratory virus in a survey of hospitals and laboratories participating in the US Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network in 2012–2013.

Materials and Methods

All hospitals and their associated laboratories participating in the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv‐NET) were included in this evaluation. The network covers more than 80 counties in 15 states, CA, CO, CT, GA, MD, MN, NM, NY, OR, TN, IA, MI, OH, RI, and UT, with a catchment population of ~28 million people. We administered a standardized questionnaire to key personnel, including infection control practitioners and laboratory departments, at each hospital through telephone interviews.

Results

Of the 240 participating laboratories, 67% relied only on commercially available rapid influenza diagnostic tests to diagnose influenza. Few reported the availability of molecular diagnostic assays for detection of influenza (26%) and other viral pathogens (≤20%) in hospitals and commercial laboratories.

Conclusion

Reliance on insensitive assays to detect influenza may detract from optimal clinical management of influenza infections in hospitals.

Electronic structure, low-temperature transport and thermodynamic properties of polymorphic β-As2Te3

The first-order lattice distortion undergone by β-As₂Te₃ around 200 K results in a cycling effect on its transport properties.

Impact of Prompt Influenza Antiviral Treatment on Extended Care Needs After Influenza Hospitalization Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Patients hospitalized with influenza may require extended care on discharge. We aimed to explore predictors for extended care needs and the potential mitigating effect of antiviral treatment among community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years hospitalized with influenza.

METHODS

We used laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations from 3 influenza seasons. Extended care was defined as new placement in a skilled nursing home/long-term/rehabilitation facility on hospital discharge. We focused on those treated with antiviral agents to explore the effect of early treatment on extended care and hospital length of stay using logistic regression and competing risk survival analysis, accounting for time from illness onset to hospitalization. Treatment was categorized as early (≤ 4 days) or late (>4 days) in reference to date of illness onset.

RESULTS

Among 6593 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years hospitalized for influenza, 18% required extended care at discharge. The need for care increased with age and neurologic disorders, intensive care unit admission, and pneumonia were predictors of care needs. Early treatment reduced the odds of extended care after hospital discharge for those hospitalized ≤ 2 or >2 days from illness onset (adjusted odds ratio, 0.38 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .17-.85] and 0.75 [.56-.97], respectively). Early treatment was also independently associated with reduction in length of stay for those hospitalized ≤ 2 days from illness onset (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.43-2.30) or >2 days (1.30; 1.20-1.40).

CONCLUSIONS

Prompt antiviral treatment decreases the impact of influenza on older adults through shorten hospitalization and reduced extended care needs.

Evolution of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: results of a multicenter study at 20 years' follow-up

INTRODUCTION

To date there is no consensus on therapeutic indications in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with curvature between 30° and 60° at the end of growth.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess outcome in patients with moderate AIS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: Cobb angle, 30-60° at end of growth; and follow-up > 20 years. The data collected were angular values in adolescence and at last follow-up, and quality of life scores at follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 258 patients were enrolled: 100 operated on in adolescence, 116 never operated on, and 42 operated on in adulthood. Mean follow-up was 27.8 years. Cobb angle progression significantly differed between the 3 groups: 3.2° versus 8.8° versus 23.6°, respectively; P < 0.001. In lumbar scoliosis, the risk of progression to ≥ 20° was significantly higher for initial Cobb angle > 35° (OR=4.278, P=0.002). There were no significant differences in quality of life scores.

DISCUSSION

Patients operated on in adolescence showed little radiological progression, demonstrating the efficacy of surgical treatment for curvature greater than 50°. Curvature greater than 40° was progressive and may require surgery in adulthood. Lumbar scoliosis showed greater potential progression than thoracic scoliosis in adulthood, requiring fusion as of 35° angulation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study.

Pneumonia among adults hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed seasonal influenza virus infection-United States, 2005-2008

BACKGROUND

Influenza and pneumonia combined are the leading causes of death due to infectious diseases in the United States. We describe factors associated with pneumonia among adults hospitalized with influenza.

METHODS

Through the Emerging Infections Program, we identified adults ≥ 18 years, who were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during October 2005 through April 2008, and had a chest radiograph (CXR) performed. Pneumonia was defined as the presence of a CXR infiltrate and either an ICD-9-CM code or discharge summary diagnosis of pneumonia.

RESULTS

Among 4,765 adults hospitalized with influenza, 1392 (29 %) had pneumonia. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with pneumonia included: age ≥ 75 years, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.27 (95 % confidence interval 1.10-1.46), white race AOR 1.24 (1.03-1.49), nursing home residence AOR 1.37 (1.14-1.66), chronic lung disease AOR 1.37 (1.18-1.59), immunosuppression AOR 1.45 (1.19-1.78), and asthma AOR 0.76 (0.62-0.92). Patients with pneumonia were significantly more likely to require intensive care unit (ICU) admission (27 % vs. 10 %), mechanical ventilation (18 % vs. 5 %), and to die (9 % vs. 2 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumonia was present in nearly one-third of adults hospitalized with influenza and was associated with ICU admission and death. Among patients hospitalized with influenza, older patients and those with certain underlying conditions are more likely to have pneumonia. Pneumonia is common among adults hospitalized with influenza and should be evaluated and treated promptly.