Exploring Self-Reported Symptoms for Developing and Evaluating Digital Symptom Checkers for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, and Uterine Fibroids: Exploratory Survey Study

BACKGROUND

Reproductive health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids pose a significant burden to people who menstruate, health care systems, and economies. Despite clinical guidelines for each condition, prolonged delays in diagnosis are commonplace, resulting in an increase to health care costs and risk of health complications. Symptom checker apps have the potential to significantly reduce time to diagnosis by providing users with health information and tools to better understand their symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to study the prevalence and predictive importance of self-reported symptoms of PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids, and to explore the efficacy of 3 symptom checkers (developed by Flo Health UK Limited) that use self-reported symptoms when screening for each condition.

METHODS

Flo's symptom checkers were transcribed into separate web-based surveys for PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids, asking respondents their diagnostic history for each condition. Participants were aged 18 years or older, female, and living in the United States. Participants either had a confirmed diagnosis (condition-positive) and reported symptoms retrospectively as experienced at the time of diagnosis, or they had not been examined for the condition (condition-negative) and reported their current symptoms as experienced at the time of surveying. Symptom prevalence was calculated for each condition based on the surveys. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used to identify key symptoms for predicting each condition. Participants' symptoms were processed by Flo's 3 single-condition symptom checkers, and accuracy was assessed by comparing the symptom checker output with the participant's condition designation.

RESULTS

A total of 1317 participants were included with 418, 476, and 423 in the PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids groups, respectively. The most prevalent symptoms for PCOS were fatigue (92%), feeling anxious (87%), BMI over 25 (84%); for endometriosis: very regular lower abdominal pain (89%), fatigue (85%), and referred lower back pain (80%); for uterine fibroids: fatigue (76%), bloating (69%), and changing sanitary protection often (68%). Symptoms of anovulation and amenorrhea (long periods, irregular cycles, and absent periods), and hyperandrogenism (excess hair on chin and abdomen, scalp hair loss, and BMI over 25) were identified as the most predictive symptoms for PCOS, while symptoms related to abdominal pain and the effect pain has on life, bleeding, and fertility complications were among the most predictive symptoms for both endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Symptom checker accuracy was 78%, 73%, and 75% for PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This exploratory study characterizes self-reported symptomatology and identifies the key predictive symptoms for 3 reproductive conditions. The Flo symptom checkers were evaluated using real, self-reported symptoms and demonstrated high levels of accuracy.

ΔHR/ΔWR derived from CPET; A novel predictor of 'off' symptom in Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Chronotropic incompetence (CI) is broadly defined as the inability of the heart to increase its rate commensurate with increased activity. In this study, we tried to clarify the link between CI and UPDRS part II (off-on), which was calculated by subtracting part II (on) from part II (off), in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

Thirty-six hospitalized patients were examined by using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for exercise tolerance (ΔVO2/ΔWR and peak VO2/W) and the presence of CI (ΔHR/ΔWR), and using electrocardiogram for heart rate variability.

RESULTS

We originally divided the patients into three groups; Group I (ΔHR/ΔWR x100 <15) (N = 3), Group II (15≥, <60) (N = 28), Group III (>60) (N = 5). Since Group I and III were significantly smaller and older than Group II, we focused and divided into two groups; Group II CI (+), the PD patients with CI (15≤ ΔHR/ΔWR x100 <35), and Group II CI (-), those patients without that (35≤ ΔHR/ΔWR x100 <60). ΔVO2/ΔWR and peak VO2/W in CI (+) patients was lower than CI (-) (P = 0.022 and P = 0.096, respectively). HF power (parasympathetic activity) tends to be decreased, whereas LF/HF ratio (sympathetic activity) was increased in CI (+) patients as compared with CI (-). The UPDRS part II (off-on) of CI (+) patients was significantly higher than CI (-) (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

In PD patients, the difference between 'on' and 'off' in activities of daily living might be predicted by using ΔHR/ΔWR x100 obtained from CPET as an index.

Emergency department management of seizures in pediatric patients

Seizures account for 1% of all emergency department visits for children, and the etiologies range from benign to life-threatening. The challenge for emergency clinicians is to diagnose and treat the life-threatening causes of seizures while avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure and painful procedures in patients who are unlikely to have an emergent pathology. When treating patients in status epilepticus, emergency clinicians are also faced with the challenge of choosing anticonvulsant medications that will be efficacious while minimizing harmful side effects. Unfortunately, evidence to guide the evaluation and management of children presenting with new and breakthrough seizures and status epilepticus is limited. This review summarizes available evidence and guidelines on the diagnostic evaluation of first-time, breakthrough, and simple and complex febrile seizures. Management of seizures in neonates and seizures due to toxic ingestions is also reviewed.

Common questions about the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Common questions that arise regarding treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include which medications are most effective, when surgery may be indicated, which patients should be screened for Barrett esophagus and Helicobacter pylori infection, and which adverse effects occur with these medications. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective medical therapy, and all PPIs provide similar relief of GERD symptoms. There is insufficient evidence to recommend testing for H. pylori in patients with GERD. In the absence of alarm symptoms, endoscopy is not necessary to make an initial diagnosis of GERD. Patients with alarm symptoms require endoscopy. Screening for Barrett esophagus is not routinely recommended, but may be considered in white men 50 years or older who have had GERD symptoms for at least five years. Symptom remission rates in patients with chronic GERD are similar in those who undergo surgery vs. medical management. PPI therapy has been associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, hypomagnesemia, community-acquired pneumonia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and Clostridium difficile infection.

Traumatic nasal injuries in general practice

BACKGROUND

Traumatic nasal injuries are common in all age groups of the community. Significant nasal trauma can cause nasal fractures and a range of complicating injuries.

OBJECTIVE

This article provides general practitioners (GPs) with a succinct overview of pathology arising from nasal trauma, and a framework on the assessment and management of common nasal injuries.

DISCUSSION

During assessment of traumatic nasal injuries, it is essential to exclude a septal haematoma, which requires urgent drainage. Undisplaced nasal fractures without functional symptoms can be managed conservatively. Displaced fractures should be referred for reduction. There is a window of two weeks before the displaced nasal bones start uniting. Investigations are rarely indicated for traumatic nasal injuries. Blood tests, including full blood count and coagulation screening, may be indicated in severe epistaxis. X-rays are not helpful for the assessment of traumatic nasal injuries. Computed tomography (CT) scans are only indicated if there is a suspected orbital, maxillary, frontal or zygomatic fractures.

[Clinical picture, modern approaches in diagnostics of traumatic intracranial hematomas]

An analysis of 93 patients with traumatic intracranial hematomas of different degree of severity of craniocerebral trauma was made. The patients consist of 59 (63,4%) boys and 36 (36,6%) girls. In most cases, the cause of craniocerebral injury was a fall from variable-heights 56 (60,2%) patients. Cerebral symptoms dominate in examined children more than nidal symptoms. The evidence of meningeal symptoms was in direct proportion to the severity of brain contusion and disappeared by 7-8 days after trauma in majority of cases. In almost all cases, the traumatic intracranial hematomas were diagnosed on the basis of computerized tomographic system data. The choice of treatment strategy was determined according to neurological symptomatology and CT findings.

Pyelonephritis can lead to life-threatening complications

Acute pyelonephritis is suggested by the constellation of fever (temperature ≥ 38.5° C), flank pain (typically unilateral), nausea and vomiting, and costovertebral angle tenderness. Complaints typical of lower UTI are variably present. The severity of symptoms ranges from a mild pyrexial illness to life-threatening sepsis. The diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis should be suspected on the basis of the history and clinical examination. If the urine dipstick is negative for nitrites and leukocyte esterase this does not exclude the diagnosis, but it should prompt a re-evaluation of the clinical features and consideration of other potential diagnoses. Antibiotic therapy should be initiated without delay; this can be modified subsequently depending on the culture result. Antibiotics that are typically effective in lower urinary tract infections are frequently inadequate in acute pyelonephritis, and more prolonged therapy is necessary. Review of the clinical course and urine culture results is necessary to ensure that the patient is improving. Patients who have not improved within two days of commencing antimicrobial treatment should be referred to secondary care unless the infecting pathogen is not susceptible to the agent originally used, an alternative appropriate antibiotic is available, and the patient remains well enough for community care.

Common Running Injuries: Evaluation and Management

Running is a common form of exercise but predisposes athletes to several running-related injuries. Most running injuries are due to overuse and respond to conservative treatment. Tendinopathies in the patellar, Achilles, and hamstring tendons are common, and are primarily treated with eccentric exercise. Iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome are less common than patellar tendinopathy and are treated by strengthening exercises for the core and legs in addition to flexibility exercises. Acute hamstring strains and medial tibial stress syndrome require a period of relative rest, followed by stretching and graded return to activity. Tibial stress fractures require an extended period of relative rest, followed by a more gradual return to activity. Early mobilization improves recovery from ankle sprains, and exercise therapy and functional bracing while running for six to 12 months prevents reinjury. Plantar fasciopathy (plantar fasciitis) can be significantly improved with stretching, heel raises, and orthoses that provide arch support.

Evaluation, diagnosis and management of chronic urticaria

BACKGROUND

Urticaria produces weals, which are itchy and can affect the quality of life and social functioning of an affected patient. There are several different subtypes of urticaria. This article focuses on chronic urticaria.

OBJECTIVE

This article details the approach to assessment and management of chronic urticaria.

DISCUSSION

Chronic urticaria is characterised by the occurrence of weals, which occur on a daily basis for more than 6 weeks. Clinical history and physical examination alone are sufficient to establish a diagnosis. Non-sedating histamine H1 receptor antagonists are the first-line treatment and are effective in 60% of patients. These may be supplemented with histamine H2 receptor antagonists. The use of second and third-line treatments is also discussed.

GP pain management: what are the 'Ps' and 'As' of pain management?

BACKGROUND

Pain is one common reason for clinical encounters in primary care. The complex nature of chronic pain syndromes can make assessment and management daunting at times.

OBJECTIVE

This article presents an easy scheme to help general practitioners efficiently assess, manage and review/follow up patients with chronic pain.

DISCUSSION

The mnemonic presented for assessment is the '4Ps' (pain, other pathology/past medical history, performance/function and psychological/psychiatric status). For management, we can also use '4Ps' (physical, psychological, pharmacological and procedural) and for review there are the '6As' (activities, analgesia, adverse effects, aberrance behaviours, affects and adequate documentation).

[Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a group of diseases characterized by progressive increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery pressure, which results in right ventricular heart failure and sudden death. Based on the current version of the guidelines for PH diagnosis and treatment, adopted by the experts of the European Society of Cardiology and the European Respiratory Society in 2009, and on the data of Russian and foreign clinical trials, the Russian experts elaborated clinical guidelines for PH in 2013. The latter consider the current classifications of PH, the specific features of its pathogenesis, and its diagnostic algorithm. The section dealing with drugs for maintenance therapy discusses data on the use of oral anticoagulants, diuretics, cardiac glycosides, and oxygen therapy. PH-specific therapy includes calcium antagonists, prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Surgical procedures for PH involve atrial septostomy, thromboendartectomy, and lung or heart-lung transplantation. A treatment algorithm is proposed for PH patients. The current medicinal approaches using specific therapy agents and their combinations offer new promises for the effective treatment of patients with PH and improve its prognosis.

[Marfan syndrome: clinical and pathomorphological restructurings after surgical treatment of aortic aneurysm]

The authors examined the state of patients suffering from Marfan syndrome (MS) who endured operation for ascending aorta aneurysm with replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve (Bentall operation), studying alterations of the skeleton, face, heart and eyes, as well as pathomorphological restructurings in the aortic wall. The study was carried out 7.0 ± 4.2 years after the operation. We examined a total of 39 patients with MS - 27 (69.2%) men and 12 (30.8%) women aged from 22 to 70 years old (average age - 42.1 ± 13.4 years). All patients were operated on for dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta accompanied by a considerable degree of aortic valve insufficiency or aortic ostium stenosis. The mean diameter of the aorta at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva amounted to 7.0 ± 1.3 cm (minimal - 5.0 cm, maximal - 12.0 cm), the Z-score prior to operation was 12.7 ± 6.5. The time form making the diagnosis of MS to surgical intervention for aortic aneurysm amounted to 9.6 ± 5.9 years. The condition after operative treatment in all patients was satisfactory, with the haemodynamic indices stable: systolic AP - 133.5 ± 19.1 mm Hg, diastolic AP 85.1 ± 12.9 mm Hg, heart rate 74.8 ± 7.2 bpm. The average systemic score for the symptoms and tests of MS patients amounted to 8.2 ± 3.3 points. Pathohistological alterations of the aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome consisted in pronounced restructuring of the wall with deep irreversible alternative changes. The pathological process extended in the middle aortic layer all alone the length, but not only in the portions of rupture and dissection. The main pathomorphological signs in MS were as follows: focal accumulations of mucoid substances, dystrophic alterations of smooth-muscle cells, ribbon-like anuclear zones, formation of cystlike cavities, alterations of elastic fibres - fragmentation, hyperelastosis, multiplication, thinning and straightening, zones of elastolysis.

[Clinical and neurologic characteristic and principles of therapy of late-onset Myasthenia gravis]

In the present work the results of the clinic-epidemiological analysis of 223 patients with the onset of the myasthenia at 60 y. o. and later, admitted and treated in the clinic of neurology for the passed 25years are represented. A dynamic growth of incidence of the late-onset myasthenia through the passed 10 years was administered. We administered a prevalence of the generalized form of the myasthenia gravis (61,5 %). The whole clinical table of the myasthenia was developed during an year in 76,7 % of the cases. A wide range of the concomitant somatic pathology in this group of the patients (especially, with a cardio-vascular pathology - 93,3 %) was found to worsen the course of the myasthenia itself. We found that the set of the therapeutic measures in myasthenia in the elderly is determined by the course of the myasthenia and the multiple organ failure due to the concomitant diseases. The scheme of complex corrective therapy of myasthenia gravis in elderly was developed.

Deep infiltrating endometriosis in young women

This work aimed to analyze the effect of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) in young women. Twenty-seven cases of patients (below 38-years-old) diagnosed with DIE and admitted to the present hospital from January 2008 to July 2014 were reviewed, and their pre- and postoperative states of illness were summarized. The main preoperative symptoms included dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, nodule in rectouterine fossa, and reduced level of fertility. All patients underwent surgery (17 laparoscopies and ten laparotomies). Postoperative pathological explanation confirmed DIE in lesions. DIE significantly affects the health of young women.

Consideration of the Cycle Threshold Values from Real-Time RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 Interpretation for the Clinicians: Analysis of 339 Positive Cases from a Referral Laboratory in Jakarta, Indonesia

BACKGROUND

real-time RT-PCR was recommended by WHO for COVID-19 diagnosis. The cycle threshold (Ct) values were expected to have an association with clinical manifestation. However, the diagnostic modalities such as quantitative molecular detection and virus isolation were not yet available for the routine test. This study has been conducted to analyze the relationship between the Ct values of qualitative rRT-PCR and the clinical manifestation and to describe the factors determining the result.

METHODS

from March to April 2020, specimens were sent to our laboratory from different healthcare centers in Jakarta. The patient's characteristic and clinical manifestation were extracted from the specimen's epidemiology forms. The specimens extracted and tested using rRT-PCR, and the Ct value were collected. The data were analyzed using the appropriate statistic test.

RESULTS

from 339 positive results, the mild to moderate case was 176 (52%) and the severe cases was 163 (48%). Female was dominant in the mild to moderate cases (58%), while the male was prevalent in the severe cases (60%). The median age for mild to moderate case was 35 years old and severe cases was 49 years old. Statistical analysis found relationship between both group with gender (p = 0.001) and age (p < 0.001), but not with the Ct value.

CONCLUSION

many variables in specimen sampling and processing could affect the Ct value result. In addition, the disease's severity was depended with the host immune response, regardless the number of virus. There was suggested no significant difference between the Ct values of mild-moderate and severe COVID-19, and thus should not be loosely interpreted.

Diagnosis of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is common, increases in prevalence with age, and affects quality of life for men and women. The initial evaluation occurs in the family physician's office and generally does not require urologic or gynecologic evaluation. The basic workup is aimed at identifying possible reversible causes. If no reversible cause is identified, then the incontinence is considered chronic. The next step is to determine the type of incontinence (urge, stress, overflow, mixed, or functional) and the urgency with which it should be treated. These determinations are made using a patient questionnaire, such as the 3 Incontinence Questions, an assessment of other medical problems that may contribute to incontinence, a discussion of the effect of symptoms on the patient's quality of life, a review of the patient's completed voiding diary, a physical examination, and, if stress incontinence is suspected, a cough stress test. Other components of the evaluation include laboratory tests and measurement of postvoid residual urine volume. If the type of urinary incontinence is still not clear, or if red flags such as hematuria, obstructive symptoms, or recurrent urinary tract infections are present, referral to a urologist or urogynecologist should be considered.

APPENDICEAL MASS: DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT STRATEGY

One of the frequent complications of acute appendicitis is appendiceal mass (AM). This research aimed to specify the criteria of AM diagnostics and determine the rational treatment strategy. It was stated that the duration of disease more than 3 days in combination with palpable infiltrate in the right iliac region and absence of positive appendiceal signs allowed formation of the clinical diagnosis of dense AM and definition of the following diagnostics program. An application of ultrasound study gave the possibility to differentiate AM according to maturity into loose and dense cases. Сomputer tomography and irrigoscopy were used routinely in controversial сases of differential diagnostics of dense AM and oncological diseases of the right areas of the large intestine. Diagnostic laparoscopy should be rational in patients with uncertain clinical findings during dynamic monitoring of imaging of inflammatory infiltrate in the right iliac region and it could facilitate to assess of the possibility of its safe separation. The application of given method of dia gnostics algorithm determined the treatment strategy: laparoscopic appendectomy in case of loose AM and conservative therapy in case of dense AM.

Developing the EPI Symptom Questionnaire (EPI-SQ): a qualitative study to understand the symptom experience of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

BACKGROUND

Symptom assessment is the key factor in determining disease status and optimal management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). There is a need for a standardized patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire to assess symptoms in patients diagnosed with EPI. The purpose of this qualitative study was to increase understanding of the EPI symptom experience from the patients' perspective, and to develop and evaluate the content validity of the EPI Symptom Questionnaire (EPI-SQ) in US patients with EPI.

METHODS

Concept elicitation interviews (Phase I) were conducted to understand the symptom experience in patients with a clinical diagnosis of EPI (i.e., fecal pancreatic elastase value of ≤ 200 mcg/g based on most recent value) due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy. The EPI-SQ was developed based on the data extracted from Phase I interviews and feedback from clinical experts. Next, separate cognitive interviews (Phase II) were conducted to evaluate participants' understanding of the instructions, items, response scales, and recall periods of the instrument.

RESULTS

During Phase I interviews (n = 21), 19 participants (90%) reported abdominal pain as the most frequent EPI symptom and lifestyle changes were the most frequently endorsed impacts (n = 18; 86%). Phase II results indicated that all participants (n = 7) felt the 12-item EPI-SQ was relevant to their symptom experience and that they understood the items, instructions, and response options as intended.

CONCLUSION

The qualitative data from this study support the content validity of the EPI-SQ in measuring EPI symptom severity in US patient populations diagnosed with EPI.

Dysphagia

A complaint of dysphagia suggests difficulty in swallowing and is characterized based on the symptoms and location of pathology. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is typically due to difficulty initiating a swallow and is generally due to structural, anatomic or neuromuscular abnormalities. Esophageal dysphagia arises after the swallow and causes include intrinsic structural pathology, extrinsic compression, or disruption in normal motility. Etiologies, methods of evaluation, and management options of dysphagia are reviewed here.

Cauda equina syndrome. An emergency, some unexpected severe symptoms and conservative treatment

An 83 years old physician, doing only office work and no exercise, presented with cauda equine, due to a large intervertebral disk hernia between L1-L2 vertebrae, after an unorthodox movement. He also had a facet syndrome, a muscular spasm in the gluteus, a small fracture in the periphery of the body of the L2 vertebra and pain in the L4-L5, due to a previous vertebral hernia five years ago. All L1-L5 left lateral area was painful. He felt an unbearable pain. He also had a degree of paralysis of the gastrointestinal (GI) and the genitourinary system. He could not take analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs per os because of the paralysis of the GI system. His pain was relieved only by intramuscular injections of parecoximbe (a cyclooxigenase-2 inhibitor, COX-2). The disc hernia was treated without surgery. After 43 days in bed, he was able to start exercising in order to treat muscles' atrophy.

The many variants of psoriasis

Erythema, skin thickening, and scales typify most cases, but other patterns exist. Tx choices may differ, depending on how much body surface area is covered.