Linking numeracy and asthma-related quality of life

OBJECTIVE

To examine the correlation of numerical skills used in patients' self-management of asthma with asthma-related quality of life (AQOL).

METHODS

Adults with moderate-severe asthma completed the Asthma Numeracy Questionnaire (ANQ), assessments of reading comprehension and self-efficacy, and the mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniAQLQ). The numeracy-AQOL relationship was evaluated in the context of potential confounders (demographic variables) and mediators (e.g. income and self-efficacy), using tests of correlation then multivariable models to assess for confounders and mediators.

RESULTS

80 adults with moderate or severe asthma were evaluated. Mean ANQ score was 2.3+/-1.2 (range 0-4). ANQ was correlated with miniAQLQ (rho=0.24, p=0.03). This association was sustained (rho=0.27, p=0.02) when controlling for potential confounders significantly associated with AQOL (age, Latino ethnicity). The ANQ-miniAQLQ association was mediated by household income; the correlation was reduced by 81% when adjusting for income (rho=0.05, p=0.65). In contrast, self-efficacy less strongly mediated this association; the correlation was reduced by 26% when controlled for self-efficacy (rho=0.20, p=0.08).

CONCLUSION

Numerical skills needed for asthma self-management influence AQOL primarily through their impact on income and, to a lesser extent, on self-efficacy.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Adults with asthma will benefit from self-management instructions employing the simplest mathematical constructs whose understanding is confirmed by clinicians.

Oral vinorelbine as a fixed-weekly schedule in taxanes-refractory advanced HRPC: A single institution experience

e16084

Background: Vinorelbine (VRL) has been shown to be active in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Oral formulation of VRL represents a significant advance in the treatment of advanced cancer. The recommended doses are 60–80 mg/m2(d1–8 q3wks).We evaluated efficacy and toxicity of different VRL schedule administered as a fixed-weekly dose of 60 mg/m2. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity profile and efficacy of this schedule in terms of PSA response, objective response and clinical benefit (CB) response. Methods: Pts characteristics were: PS 0–2, adequate bone marrow, liver and renal functions. Oral VRL was adminestered at weekly dose of 60 mg/m2 until disease progression/intolerable toxicity. PSA response was defined as a >50% fall in PSA from baseline, confirmed by a second PSA value 4 or > weeks later. Pts with measurable soft tissue disease met traditional guidelines for tumour responses. Progression was defined by objective disease progression or PSA increase of >50% above nadir or >25% above baseline. Pts were monitored clinically and with serial PSA measurements every 1 week. Results: Thirty seven pts with progressive HR metastatic prostate cancer were evaluated. Mean (range) age was 67 years (50–88), median PSA level was 90 ng/ml (1- 4314), and median Gleason score was 7 (6–9). 23 (62%) pts had previous taxane chemotherapy and 14 pts (38%) were chemo-naive. Pts received a mean of 5.5 cycles (1cycle=3wks) (range:1–24). Median follow-up was 12 months. Thirty three of 37 Pts (97%) achieved a decline in serum PSA. CB response was achieved in 15 out of 37 pts(40%). The PSA response was observed in 13 pts (35%). Objective response was not observed and only 6 pts showed SD (16%). The relative dose-intensity was 94%. There were no reported grade 3–4 toxicities. Only 1 treatment discontinuation was observed (esopahgitis g2). Toxicities consisted primarily of g2 anemia (25%) and mild nausea (32%). Conclusions: Oral Vinorelbine administered as a fixed-weekly schedule of 60 mg/m2 is a safe regimen in pts with advanced HRPC. This regimen of oral vinorelbine is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in this setting, despite a major dose-intensity administered. Further studies will be evaluated in chemo-naive and/or elderly population.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Comparison of a dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride, 0.3% triclosan, and 2.0% copolymer in a silica base, and a dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base: a three-year clinical trial of root caries and dental crowns among adults

OBJECTIVE

Colgate Total toothpaste has been demonstrated to be highly effective in plaque and gingivitis control. The effect of triclosan on root caries and on the survival of dental crowns (fixed dental prosthetic treatment) has not been evaluated. In order to examine these important variables, a randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted comparing Colgate Total toothpaste with triclosan, and an identical fluoride toothpaste without triclosan.

METHODS

Adult subjects were randomly assigned to a test group using Colgate Total plus Whitening toothpaste with triclosan, and a control group using Colgate sodium fluoride toothpaste without triclosan. By the end of the study, following three years of product use, an evaluation was performed to compare baseline data to the three-year data for root caries and dental crown survival. Clinical root caries was evaluated by the Katz RCI- Root Caries Index. Within-treatment analysis for each dentifrice was conducted using a paired t-test. Between-treatment analysis was performed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). For fixed dental prosthetic treatment evaluation, dental crowns were dichotomized for success and failure at the end of the study. Within-treatment analysis for each dentifrice was conducted using a paired t-test. Between-treatment analysis was performed using the Bonferroni test.

RESULTS

One-thousand, three-hundred, and fifty-seven subjects (1,357) completed the study. Regarding root caries, at termination of the study the Colgate Total group presented a mean score of 1.14 +/- 1.75 and a +5.6% change from baseline, while the sodium fluoride toothpaste presented a mean of 1.25 +/- 1.88 and a +43.2% change from baseline (p < 0.001). The adjusted mean root caries increment was 0.07 +/- 0.03 for the Colgate Total group, and 0.38 +/- 0.03 for the sodium fluoride toothpaste group (p < 0.001). Regarding crowns, at termination of the study the Colgate Total group presented a mean score of 5.38 +/- 3.70 and a +1.1% change from baseline, while the sodium fluoride toothpaste without triclosan presented a mean of 5.75 +/- 3.86 and a +3.8% change from baseline (p < 0.001). The mean (adjusted for multiple comparisons) dental crowns failure increment was 0.09 +/- 0.03 for the Colgate Total group, and 0.31 +/- 0.02 for the sodium fluoride toothpaste group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A comparison between the two study groups revealed a statistically significant difference for root caries and dental crown failure scores, both favoring the triclosan toothpaste (Colgate Total). The significantly lower root caries and observed dental crown failure scores among the Colgate Total toothpaste users indicate an effect of the triclosan and the copolymer system. These results are important and could provide a strong and valuable public health measure.

Topological characterization of flow structures in resistive pressure-gradient-driven turbulence

Visualization of turbulent flows is a powerful tool to help understand the turbulence dynamics and induced transport. However, it does not provide a quantitative description of the observed structures. In this paper, an approach to characterize quantitatively the topology of the flows is given. The technique, which can be applied to any type of turbulence dynamics, is illustrated through the example of resistive ballooning instabilities.

Assessment of colorectal cancer knowledge and patient attitudes towards screening: is Ireland ready to embrace colon cancer screening?

INTRODUCTION

The level of awareness among the Irish public regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) remains uncertain. This study aimed to characterise CRC knowledge levels among a cohort of Irish patients.

METHODS

A survey evaluating CRC knowledge levels was distributed among outpatients at a gastroenterology clinic in a Dublin teaching hospital.

RESULTS

In total, 472 surveys were distributed of which 465 (98.5%) were returned. Twenty-nine percent of respondents correctly judged CRC to be the commonest cause of cancer death among the options provided while 26% correctly judged the lifetime risk of CRC; 59% underestimated and 15% overestimated the risk. Most patients (91%) were willing to pay 300 euros for a prompt colonoscopy if recommended by their physician while 7% opted to wait 6 months for a free colonoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a willingness to embrace CRC screening and to shoulder some of the financial burden that this entails.

Kidney graft survival in patients with hepatitis C: a single center experience

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent in renal transplant candidates; however, its effect on the transplant outcome is still controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of HCV infection in the outcome of kidney transplantation in a single transplant center. The study population 144 HCV- randomized selected patients and 64 HCV+ patients transplanted from 1973 to 2000, followed for up to 60 months post-transplantation. This retrospective study included the following variables: type of dialysis, time on renal replacement therapy, number of transfusions before and after transplantation, number of transplants, type of donor, immunosuppression, and rejection episodes. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate graft and patient survival. Log-rank test was used to assess the difference in survival between HCV+ and HCV-. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the relation between graft and patient survival. HCV+ and HCV- patients had similar demographic and clinical characteristics; however, a higher number of HCV+ patients received blood transfusions after transplantation. Patient survival was not significantly different in 39 HCV+ and 96 HCV- patients transplanted with living-related donors (71% and 77% at five yr, respectively). Similarly, there was not significant difference in 25 HCV+ and 48 HCV- patients transplanted with kidneys from deceased donors, although there was a tendency to better outcome in HCV- patients (55% and 72% at five yr respectively). Regarding graft survival, there was also no differences in HCV+ and HCV- recipients of living-related grafts (61% and 66% at five yr post-transplant, respectively) and recipients of kidneys from deceased donors (44% and 41%, respectively). The results show that HCV+ patients can be transplanted with the same success than HCV- patients.

Cytokine gene polymorphisms in Colombian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exhibit alterations in cytokine production that may be relevant to SLE pathogenesis. There is evidence that cytokine gene polymorphisms control cytokine production; thus, these polymorphisms may be associated with SLE or its clinical manifestations. To establish the association of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6 gene polymorphisms in Colombian SLE patients and their clinical manifestations, 120 SLE patients and 102 healthy controls were studied. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were studied by sequence-specific primers polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) at: TNFalpha-308 (G/A), TGFbeta1 codon 10 (C/T) and codon 25 (G/C), IL-10 -1082 (G/A), -819 (C/T) and -592 (C/A), and IL-6 + 174 (G/C). Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRbeta1 was typed by SSP-PCR. SLE patients had increased frequency of allele C at TGFbeta1 codon 25 (P = 0.0001, odds ratio (OR): 4.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17-8.35) and allele A at TNFalpha-308 (P = 0.0004 OR: 3.9, 95% CI: 1.65-5.80) compared with healthy controls. There was higher frequency of GC genotype at TGFbeta1 codon 25 in SLE patients (P < 0.0001). Extended genotypic analysis showed that SLE patients have decreased frequency of TNFalphaLow/TGFbeta1High (0.50) compared with healthy controls (0.80) (P < 0.0001). No association was found between these polymorphisms and SLE clinical manifestations except for Sm and Ro autoantibodies that were associated with TNFalpha allele A. There is an association between TNFalpha-308A/TGFbeta1 codon 25C with SLE susceptibility in Colombian population. This association may result in a highly inflammatory response with a decrease regulatory function mediated by TNFalpha and TGFbeta1, respectively. The TNFalpha-308A/TGFbeta1 25C genotype may be one component of genetic susceptibility to SLE in Colombian population.

In vivo and in vitro immunomodulation of Der p 1 allergen-specific response by Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria

BACKGROUND

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were reported to reduce some allergic manifestations in mice and humans but their impact on the aeroallergen-dependent immune mechanisms is still debated.

OBJECTIVE

The potential capacities of Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB8826 to reduce the allergic response induced by Der p 1, the major house dust mite allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Methods First, the effect of the intranasal co-administration of LAB and purified Der p 1 allergen before a sensitization protocol was evaluated. The allergen-specific antibody and cellular responses as well as airway inflammation were measured. Second, the impact of LAB on the cytokine profile of spleens cells from Der p 1-sensitized mice was assessed. Third, upon stimulation with LAB, the levels of cytokine produced by dendritic cells derived from the bone marrow (BMDCs) of wild-type, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-, TLR4- and MyD88-KO mice were compared. Results The co-application of L. plantarum and Der p 1 induced a T-helper type 1 (Th1)-biased allergen-specific IgG response, the absence of specific IgE response and favoured the production of INF-gamma upon allergen re-stimulation. Moreover, the previous LAB administration reduced the development of bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia usually induced by aerosol exposure. Additionally, the studied LAB strain was shown to modify in vitro the cytokine level produced by Der p 1-sensitized spleen cells mainly towards a Th1 profile. Finally, L. plantarum stimulated high IL-12 and moderate IL-10 production in mouse BMDCs notably through the TLR2-, MyD88-dependent and TLR4-independent pathway.

CONCLUSION

In vivo co-administration of probiotic LAB with Der p 1 might prevent the development of the mite allergic response. The probiotic L. plantarum was shown to display in vitro therapeutic potentials for the treatment of allergy and to trigger the immune system by a TLR2- and MyD88-dependent signalling pathway.

[Primary peritonitis in Sub-Saharian Africa: a 15 case series]

Primary peritonitis (PP) is an infection of the peritoneal cavity occurring in the absence of a documented intraabdominal source of contamination. It is one of the main infectious complications of cirrhosis but is rare in healthy subjects. The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe a series of 15 cases of PP treated over a 3-year period at the Principal Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. The patient population was young (all but 2 under age of 13 years) and predominantly female (87%) with no predisposing factors. Clinical presentation always involved typical peritonitis. Surgical exploration was performed in all cases by laparotomy (n=13) or laparoscopy (n=2). Intra-operative bacteriologic sampling was performed systematically. Probabilistic antimicrobial therapy was administered in all cases using a triple-drug combination including a cephalosporin or betalactamine, an aminoside and metronidazole. This unconventional combination was designed to allow low-cost wide-spectrum coverage. As in patients with cirrhosis, the most common microbial agents were gram-negative bacteria (47%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in 40% of cases. Infectious ORL and pulmonary sites were suspected in some cases. Although no supporting bacteriologic evidence was obtained, the high frequency of pneumococcal involvement as well as the age and female predominance of the patient population is consistent with contamination via the female genital tract. The cases in this series present unusual epidemiological, clinical and bacteriologic features. In Europe surgical treatment can be avoided thanks to the availability of modern facilities to support further laboratory examinations. In Africa antimicrobial therapy and peritoneal lavage are the mainstay treatments. Use of laparoscopy should be expanded.

AAV-mediated delivery of a mutated myostatin propeptide ameliorates calpain 3 but not α-sarcoglycan deficiency

Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle mass whose inhibition has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for muscle-wasting conditions. Indeed, blocking myostatin action through different strategies has proved beneficial for the pathophysiology of the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse. In this report, we tested the inhibition of myostatin by AAV-mediated expression of a mutated propeptide in animal models of two limb-girdle muscular dystrophies: LGMD2A caused by mutations in the calpain 3 (CAPN3) gene and LGMD2D caused by mutations in the alpha-sarcoglycan gene (SGCA). In the highly regenerative Sgca-null mice, survival of the alpha-sarcoglycan-deficient muscle fibers did not improve after transfer of the myostatin propeptide. In calpain 3-deficient mice, a boost in muscle mass and an increase in absolute force were obtained, suggesting that myostatin inhibition could constitute a therapeutic strategy in this predominantly atrophic disorder.

My battle with spasmodic torticollis: a healing experience

The life-transforming experience of overcoming spasmodic torticollis compelled the author to write the following personal account. The author, who triumphed over this debilitating disease, is now an advocate of holistic nursing practices that motivate patients through a genuine concern for patient well-being, community, and humanity. The author describes her personal experience of grief and the grieving process; the healing effects of crying; and her selection of the complementary and alternative therapies of prayer, music, and massage that became instrumental in finding a pathway to recovery. The story has appealing implications for strategies that utilize these concepts and techniques in clinical practice.

Effectiveness and safety of an emergency department short-stay unit as an alternative to standard inpatient hospitalisation

BACKGROUND

Emergency department short-stay units (EDSSUs) are currently emerging worldwide as an alternative to standard inpatient hospitalisation. In our hospital, a 960-bed teaching tertiary institution in Barcelona, Spain, an EDSSU has been in operation during winter periods (November-March) since 1997.

AIM

To determine the efficacy and safety of our EDSSU.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of activity and quality outcomes, assessment of patient satisfaction levels and determination of the diagnostic-related groups that were mainly responsible for admissions to the EDSSU, comparing the clinical characteristics of those patients with the characteristics of patients with similar clinical diagnoses admitted to standard hospitalisation units.

RESULTS

5666 patients were treated in the EDSSU, with a progressive increase in the number of patients admitted per period, ranging from 707 in 1997-8 to 1227 in 2003-4 (73.5% increase). The mean length of stay ranged from 3.1 to 2.8 days, mortality from 2.5% to 5.1%, home discharge rate from 84% to 90%, and hospital readmission rate within the first week after discharge from 3.9% to 6.2%. In all, 98% of patients were satisfied with their stay at the EDSSU. The main diagnostic-related groups were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD = 50%) and acute heart failure (28%). Patients with COPD admitted at the EDSSU (n = 545) showed significantly (p = 0.05) lower mean length of stay (3.4 v 12 days) and mortality (1.7% v 8.1%), but a higher hospital readmission rate (9.9% v 7%) than those admitted to standard inpatient units (n = 1961).

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, the EDSSU proved to be an effective and safe alternative to standard inpatient hospitalisation.