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Arredondo Eve A, Tunc E, Mehta D, Yoo JY, Yilmaz HE, Emren SV, Akçay FA, Madak Erdogan Z. PFAS and their association with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Toxicol Sci 2024; 200:312-323. [PMID: 38758093 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the major causes of death globally. In addition to traditional risk factors such as unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, obesity, sedentary) and genetics, common environmental exposures, including persistent environmental contaminants, may also influence CVD risk. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of highly fluorinated chemicals used in household consumer and industrial products known to persist in our environment for years, causing health concerns that are now linked to endocrine disruptions and related outcomes in women, including interference of the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. In postmenopausal women, higher levels of PFAS are observed than in premenopausal women due to the cessation of menstruation, which is crucial for PFAS excretion. Because of these findings, we explored the association between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid in postmenopausal women from our previously established CVD study. We used liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, supported by machine learning approaches, and the detection and quantification of serum metabolites and proteins. Here, we show that PFOS can be a good predictor of coronary artery disease, whereas PFOA can be an intermediate predictor of coronary microvascular disease. We also found that the PFAS levels in our study are significantly associated with inflammation-related proteins. Our findings may provide new insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the PFAS-induced risk of CVDs in this population. This study shows that exposure to PFOA and PFOS is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. PFOS and PFOA levels correlate with amino acids and proteins related to inflammation. These circulating biomarkers contribute to the etiology of CVD and potentially implicate a mechanistic relationship between PFAS exposure and increased risk of cardiovascular events in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Arredondo Eve
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Elif Tunc
- Research and Training Hospital, Katip Celebi University, Izmir, 35310, Turkey
| | - Dhruv Mehta
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jin Young Yoo
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Huriye Erbak Yilmaz
- Research and Training Hospital, Katip Celebi University, Izmir, 35310, Turkey
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Balcova, Izmir, 35340, Turkey
| | - Sadık Volkan Emren
- Research and Training Hospital, Katip Celebi University, Izmir, 35310, Turkey
| | | | - Zeynep Madak Erdogan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Jung-Henrich J, Schlößler K, Uebel T, Chikhradze N, Suslow A, Lindner N, Fahrenkrog S, Kraft J, Hummers E, Vollmar HC, Gágyor I, Heider D, König HH, Donner-Banzhoff N. Development and implementation of a treatment pathway to reduce coronary angiograms - lessons from a failure. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:527. [PMID: 38664649 PMCID: PMC11046897 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10904-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rates of coronary angiograms (CA) and related procedures (percutaneous intervention [PCI]) are significantly higher in Germany than in other Organisation for Economic Co-ordination and Development (OECD) countries. The current guidelines recommend non-invasive diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD); CA should only have a limited role in choosing the appropriate revascularisation procedure. The aim of the present study was to explore whether improvements in guideline adherence can be achieved through the implementation of regional treatment pathways. We chose four regions of Germany with high utilisation of CAs for the study. Here we report the results of the concomitant qualitative study. METHODS General practitioners and specialist physicians (cardiologists, hospital-based cardiologists, emergency physicians, radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists) caring for patients with suspected CHD were invited to develop regional treatment pathways. Four academic departments provided support for moderation, provision of materials, etc. The study team observed session discussions and took notes. After the development of the treatment pathways, 45 semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participating physicians. Interviews and field notes were transcribed verbatim and underwent qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Pathway development received little support among the participants. Although consensus documents were produced, the results were unlikely to improve practice. The participants expressed very little commitment to change. Although this attempt clearly failed in all study regions, our experience provides relevant insights into the process of evidence appraisal and implementation. A lack of organisational skills, ignorance of current evidence and guidelines, and a lack of feedback regarding one's own clinical behaviour proved to be insurmountable. CA was still seen as the diagnostic gold standard by most interviewees. CONCLUSIONS Oversupply and overutilisation can be assumed to be present in study regions but are not immediately perceived by clinicians. The problem is unlikely to be solved by regional collaborative initiatives; optimised resource planning within the health care system combined with appropriate economic incentives might best address these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Jung-Henrich
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-Frisch- Straße 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Schlößler
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-Frisch- Straße 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine (AM RUB), Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Til Uebel
- Department of General Practice, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nino Chikhradze
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine (AM RUB), Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Anastasia Suslow
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine (AM RUB), Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nicole Lindner
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-Frisch- Straße 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Fahrenkrog
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité University Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Judith Kraft
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité University Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Hummers
- Department of General Practice, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Horst Christian Vollmar
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine (AM RUB), Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ildikó Gágyor
- Department of General Practice, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Heider
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-Frisch- Straße 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
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Zheng X, Hao X, Li W, Ding Y, Yu T, Wang X, Li S. Dissecting the mediating and moderating effects of depression on the associations between traits and coronary artery disease: A two-step Mendelian randomization and phenome-wide interaction study. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100394. [PMID: 37701760 PMCID: PMC10493261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is often present concurrently with coronary artery disease (CAD), a disease with which it shares many risk factors. However, the manner in which depression mediates and moderates the association between traits (including biomarkers, anthropometric indicators, lifestyle behaviors, etc.) and CAD is largely unknown. Methods In our causal mediation analyses using two-step Mendelian randomization (MR), univariable MR was first used to investigate the causal effects of 108 traits on liability to depression and CAD. The traits with significant causal effects on both depression and CAD, but not causally modulated by depression, were selected for the second-step analyses. Multivariable MR was used to estimate the direct effects (independent of liability to depression) of these traits on CAD, and the indirect effects (mediated via liability to depression) were calculated. To investigate the moderating effect of depression on the association between 364 traits and CAD, a cross-sectional phenome-wide interaction study (PheWIS) was conducted in a study population from UK Biobank (UKBB) (N=275,257). Additionally, if the relationship between traits and CAD was moderated by both phenotypic and genetically predicted depression at a suggestive level of significance (Pinteraction≤0.05) in the PheWIS, the results were further verified by a cohort study using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Univariable MR indicated that 10 of 108 traits under investigation were significantly associated with both depression and CAD, which showed a similar direct effect compared to the total effect for most traits. However, the traits "drive faster than speed limit" and "past tobacco smoking" were both exceptions, with the proportions mediated by depression at 24.6% and 7.2%, respectively. In the moderation analyses, suggestive evidence of several traits was found for moderating effects of phenotypic depression or susceptibility to depression, as estimated by polygenic risk score, including chest pain when hurrying, reason of smoking quitting and weight change. Consistent results were observed in survival analyses and Cox regression. Conclusion The independent role of traits in CAD pathogenesis regardless of depression was highlighted in our mediation analyses, and the moderating effects of depression observed in our study may be helpful for CAD risk stratification and optimized allocation of scarce medical resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangying Zheng
- Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xuezeng Hao
- Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weixin Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yining Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Wang
- Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Sen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Jordan KP, Rathod-Mistry T, van der Windt DA, Bailey J, Chen Y, Clarson L, Denaxas S, Hayward RA, Hemingway H, Kyriacou T, Mamas MA. Determining cardiovascular risk in patients with unattributed chest pain in UK primary care: an electronic health record study. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2023; 30:1151-1161. [PMID: 36895179 PMCID: PMC10442054 DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Most adults presenting in primary care with chest pain symptoms will not receive a diagnosis ('unattributed' chest pain) but are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. To assess within patients with unattributed chest pain, risk factors for cardiovascular events and whether those at greatest risk of cardiovascular disease can be ascertained by an existing general population risk prediction model or by development of a new model. METHODS AND RESULTS The study used UK primary care electronic health records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to admitted hospitalizations. Study population was patients aged 18 plus with recorded unattributed chest pain 2002-2018. Cardiovascular risk prediction models were developed with external validation and comparison of performance to QRISK3, a general population risk prediction model. There were 374 917 patients with unattributed chest pain in the development data set. The strongest risk factors for cardiovascular disease included diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. Risk was increased in males, patients of Asian ethnicity, those in more deprived areas, obese patients, and smokers. The final developed model had good predictive performance (external validation c-statistic 0.81, calibration slope 1.02). A model using a subset of key risk factors for cardiovascular disease gave nearly identical performance. QRISK3 underestimated cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSION Patients presenting with unattributed chest pain are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. It is feasible to accurately estimate individual risk using routinely recorded information in the primary care record, focusing on a small number of risk factors. Patients at highest risk could be targeted for preventative measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin P Jordan
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Trishna Rathod-Mistry
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Danielle A van der Windt
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - James Bailey
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
- Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lorna Clarson
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Spiros Denaxas
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, UK
- Health Data Research UK, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Richard A Hayward
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Harry Hemingway
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, UK
- The National Institute for Health Research University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, Maple House 1st floor, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7DN, UK
| | - Theocharis Kyriacou
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5AA, UK
| | - Mamas A Mamas
- Keele Cardiovascular Research Group, School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, University Road, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
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Golchin Vafa R, Heydarzadeh R, Rahmani M, Tavan A, Khoshnoud Mansorkhani S, Zamiri B, Amiri F, Azadian A, Khademolhosseini A, Montaseri M, Hosseini N, Hosseini SA, Kojuri J. The long-term effects of the Covid-19 infection on cardiac symptoms. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:286. [PMID: 37280530 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03322-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides the lungs, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can affect the cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, hepatic, and central nervous systems. Other than its short-term effects, COVID-19 may also cause long-term complications. In this study, we assessed long-term COVID-19 cardiovascular symptoms among patients in a cardiovascular clinic. METHOD A retrospective cohort was conducted between October 2020 to May 2021 on patients at an outpatient cardiovascular clinic in Shiraz, Iran. Patients with a history of COVID-19 at least one year before their referral were included. Baseline information was extracted from the clinic's database. Data were collected regarding symptoms like dyspnea, chest pain, fatigue, and palpitations after a year of COVID-19. We also noted any major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS Most common symptoms after a year of COVID-19 were exertional dyspnea (51.2%), dyspnea at rest (41.6%), fatigue (39%), and chest pain (27.1%). The symptoms were more prevalent in hospitalized patients than in non-hospitalized patients. The prevalence of MACE was about 6.1% during the 12-month follow-up, with this rate being higher in those with a history of hospitalization or comorbid diseases. CONCLUSION The prevalence of cardiovascular symptoms was fairly high in patients at our clinic a year after COVID-19, and the most common symptom was dyspnea. Hospitalized patients had more MACE. (Clinicaltrial.gov number: NCT05715879)(04/02/2023).
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Golchin Vafa
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Heydarzadeh
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Ali Tavan
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Soroush Khoshnoud Mansorkhani
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bardia Zamiri
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farhang Amiri
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Azadian
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amin Khademolhosseini
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Montaseri
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nazanin Hosseini
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Hosseini
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Javad Kojuri
- Cardiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Professor Kojuri Cardiology Clinic, Niayesh St. Niayesh Medical Complex, Shiraz, Iran.
- Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Manten A, De Clercq L, Rietveld RP, Lucassen WAM, Moll van Charante EP, Harskamp RE. Evaluation of the Marburg Heart Score and INTERCHEST score compared to current telephone triage for chest pain in out-of-hours primary care. Neth Heart J 2023; 31:157-165. [PMID: 36580267 PMCID: PMC10033786 DOI: 10.1007/s12471-022-01745-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chest pain is a common and challenging symptom for telephone triage in urgent primary care. Existing chest-pain-specific risk scores originally developed for diagnostic purposes may outperform current telephone triage protocols. METHODS This study involved a retrospective, observational cohort of consecutive patients evaluated for chest pain at a large-scale out-of-hours primary care facility in the Netherlands. We evaluated the performance of the Marburg Heart Score (MHS) and INTERCHEST score as stand-alone triage tools and compared them with the current decision support tool, the Netherlands Triage Standard (NTS). The outcomes of interest were: C‑statistics, calibration and diagnostic accuracy for optimised thresholds with major events as the reference standard. Major events are a composite of all-cause mortality and both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular urgent underlying conditions occurring within 6 weeks of initial contact. RESULTS We included 1433 patients, 57.6% women, with a median age of 55.0 years. Major events occurred in 16.4% (n = 235), of which acute coronary syndrome accounted for 6.8% (n = 98). For predicting major events, C‑statistics for the MHS and INTERCHEST score were 0.74 (95% confidence interval: 0.70-0.77) and 0.76 (0.73-0.80), respectively. In comparison, the NTS had a C-statistic of 0.66 (0.62-0.69). All had appropriate calibration. Both scores (at threshold ≥ 2) reduced the number of referrals (with lower false-positive rates) and maintained equal safety compared with the NTS. CONCLUSION Diagnostic risk stratification scores for chest pain may also improve telephone triage for major events in out-of-hours primary care, by reducing the number of unnecessary referrals without compromising triage safety. Further validation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Manten
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L De Clercq
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R P Rietveld
- Huisartsenorganisatie Noord-Kennemerland, Alkmaar, The Netherlands
| | - W A M Lucassen
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E P Moll van Charante
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R E Harskamp
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Manten A, Rietveld RP, de Clercq L, van Hulst I, Lucassen WAM, Moll van Charante EP, Harskamp RE. Evaluation of telephone triage among chest pain patients in out-of-hours primary care in the Netherlands (TRACE). Fam Pract 2023; 40:23-29. [PMID: 35849343 PMCID: PMC9909662 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmac077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telephone triage is fully integrated in Dutch out-of-hours primary care (OOH-PC). Patients presenting with chest pain are initially assessed according to a standardized protocol ("Netherlands Triage Standard" [NTS]). Nevertheless, little is known about its (diagnostic) performance, nor on the impact of subsequent clinical judgements made by triage assistants and general practitioners (GPs). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the performance of the current NTS chest pain protocol. METHODS Observational, retrospective cohort study of adult patients with chest pain who contacted a regional OOH-PC facility in the Netherlands, in 2017. The clinical outcome measure involved the occurrence of a "major event," which is a composite of all-cause mortality and urgent cardiovascular and noncardiovascular conditions, occurring ≤6 weeks of initial contact. We assessed the performance using diagnostic and discriminatory properties. RESULTS In total, 1,803 patients were included, median age was 54.0 and 57.5% were female. Major events occurred in 16.2% of patients with complete follow-up, including 99 (6.7%) cases of acute coronary syndrome and 22 (1.5%) fatal events. NTS urgency assessment showed moderate discriminatory abilities for predicting major events (c-statistic 0.66). Overall, NTS performance showed a sensitivity and specificity of 83.0% and 42.4% with a 17.0% underestimated major event rate. Triage assistants' revisions hardly improved urgency allocation. Further consideration of the clinical course following OOH-PC contact did generate a more pronounced improvement with a sensitivity of 89.4% and specificity of 61.9%. CONCLUSION Performance of telephone triage of chest pain appears moderate at best, with acceptable safety yet limited efficiency, even after including further work-up by GPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Manten
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Remco P Rietveld
- Huisartsenorganisatie Noord-Kennemerland, Hertog Aalbrechtweg 5A, 1823 DL Alkmaar, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas de Clercq
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inge van Hulst
- Huisartsenorganisatie Noord-Kennemerland, Hertog Aalbrechtweg 5A, 1823 DL Alkmaar, The Netherlands
| | - Wim A M Lucassen
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric P Moll van Charante
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Department of Public & Occupational Health, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ralf E Harskamp
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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8
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Andreoletti F, Maselli F, Storari L, Vongher A, Erbesato M, Testa M, Turolla A. Screening for Referral of Serious Pathology by Physical Examination Tests in Patients with Back or Chest Pain: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192416418. [PMID: 36554298 PMCID: PMC9779291 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the most common physical examination tests (PET) for the screening for referral of patients with back or chest pain caused by serious pathology. METHODS A systematic review was conducted. Searches were performed on seven electronic databases between June 2020 and December 2021. Only studies evaluating patients with back and/or chest pain with clear reporting of PETs and prompt patient referrals were included. RESULTS 316 full texts were included, and these studies had a total of 474/492 patients affected by a serious disease. Only 26 studies of them described suspicion of serious disease due to at least one positive PET. Cardiac/pulmonary auscultation and heartbeats/blood pressure measurements were the most frequently reported tests. None of the reported studies included physiotherapists and chiropractors who reported the use of various tests, such as: cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, lung percussion, costovertebral angle tenderness, and lymph node palpation, highlighting a lack of attention in measuring vital parameters. On the contrary, doctors and nurses reported the assessment of the range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine and hip less frequently. CONCLUSIONS Appropriate reporting of PETs is sparse, and their utilization is heterogeneous among different healthcare professionals. Further primary studies are needed to describe PETs results in patients suffering from back and/or chest pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Andreoletti
- Departement of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genova-Campus of Savona, 17100 Savona, Italy
| | - Filippo Maselli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Lorenzo Storari
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Vongher
- Departement of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genova-Campus of Savona, 17100 Savona, Italy
| | - Monica Erbesato
- Departement of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genova-Campus of Savona, 17100 Savona, Italy
| | - Marco Testa
- Departement of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genova-Campus of Savona, 17100 Savona, Italy
| | - Andrea Turolla
- Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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9
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Koopman MY, Reijnders JJW, Willemsen RTA, van Bruggen R, Doggen CJM, Kietselaer B, Oude Wolcherink MJ, van Ooijen PMA, Gratama JWC, Braam R, Oudkerk M, van der Harst P, Dinant GJ, Vliegenthart R. Coronary calcium scoring as first-line test to detect and exclude coronary artery disease in patients presenting to the general practitioner with stable chest pain: protocol of the cluster-randomised CONCRETE trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e055123. [PMID: 35440450 PMCID: PMC9020291 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Identifying and excluding coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with atypical angina pectoris (AP) and non-specific thoracic complaints is a challenge for general practitioners (GPs). A diagnostic and prognostic tool could help GPs in determining the likelihood of CAD and guide patient management. Studies in outpatient settings have shown that the CT-based coronary calcium score (CCS) has high accuracy for diagnosis and exclusion of CAD. However, the CT CCS test has not been tested in a primary care setting. In the COroNary Calcium scoring as fiRst-linE Test to dEtect and exclude coronary artery disease in GPs patients with stable chest pain (CONCRETE) study, the impact of direct access of GPs to CT CCS will be investigated. We hypothesise that this will allow for early diagnosis of CAD and treatment, more efficient referral to the cardiologist and a reduction of healthcare-related costs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS CONCRETE is a pragmatic multicentre trial with a cluster randomised design, in which direct GP access to the CT CCS test is compared with standard of care. In both arms, at least 40 GP offices, and circa 800 patients with atypical AP and non-specific thoracic complaints will be included. To determine the increase in detection and treatment rate of CAD in GP offices, the CVRM registration rate is derived from the GPs electronic registration system. Individual patients' data regarding cardiovascular risk factors, expressed chest pain complaints, quality of life, downstream testing and CAD diagnosis will be collected through questionnaires and the electronic GP dossier. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION CONCRETE has been approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the University Medical Center of Groningen. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NTR 7475; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moniek Y Koopman
- Department of Radiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jorn J W Reijnders
- Department of Cardiology, Zuyderland Medical Centre Heerlen, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert T A Willemsen
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rykel van Bruggen
- Multicenter General Practitioners Organisation 'HuisartsenOrganisatie Oost-Gelderland', Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
| | - Carine J M Doggen
- Department of Health Technology & Services Research, Techmed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Kietselaer
- Department of Cardiology, Zuyderland Medical Centre Heerlen, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn J Oude Wolcherink
- Department of Health Technology & Services Research, Techmed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M A van Ooijen
- Department of Data Science Center in Health, University of Groniningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Richard Braam
- Department of Cardiology, Gelre Hospitals, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Oudkerk
- Department of Medical Science, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Department of Cardiology, Division of Heart and Lungs, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan Dinant
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rozemarijn Vliegenthart
- Department of Radiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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10
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Madva EN, Celano CM, Kim S, Bell M, Radfar A, Ibrahim NE, Dar T, Albanese A, Tawakol A, Huffman JC. A Care Management Intervention for Noncardiac Chest Pain: Treatment Development and Feasibility Assessment. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2022; 24:21m03045. [PMID: 35452569 PMCID: PMC9979015 DOI: 10.4088/pcc.21m03045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT. Objective: Noncardiac chest pain is common and can cause distress, impair quality of life, and lead to recurrent evaluation. It is often multifactorial in etiology and influenced by psychological factors. The objective of this study was to describe the development, implementation, and preliminary feasibility of an 8-week multicomponent care management intervention. Methods: Participants with noncardiac chest pain were recruited from primary care clinics, ambulatory cardiac stress testing, and the emergency department (ED) at an urban academic hospital from March 2019 to November 2019. The care management team consisted of a nurse, cardiologist, and psychiatrist. Following a 1-time consultation visit with the cardiologist and nurse, evaluation and treatment recommendations were conveyed to the participant's primary care physician. The nurse completed 8 weekly phone calls with the participant to provide support, introduce therapeutic principles, and assist with care coordination under the supervision of a psychiatrist. Intervention feasibility was assessed on 7 domains. To examine preliminary efficacy, the number of ED visits was recorded, and participants completed pre-post measures of psychological health and health-related quality of life and Likert scales of chest pain symptom severity, frequency, and impact. Results: The intervention was developed and implemented in 3 patients who completed 100% of the consultation visits and a mean of 95.8% of study phone calls. There were no adverse events or ED visits. Mean scores for chest pain severity, chest pain frequency, chest pain impact, depression, anxiety, and somatization all improved. No other trends were observed. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a care management intervention may be feasible with potential to improve chest pain symptoms and psychological outcomes. A larger, randomized trial is needed to explore the efficacy of this intervention. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04904198.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N. Madva
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Corresponding author: Elizabeth N. Madva, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Warren 6, Boston, MA 02114 ()
| | - Christopher M. Celano
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sonia Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Margaret Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Azar Radfar
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Tawseef Dar
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ariana Albanese
- Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ahmed Tawakol
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeff C. Huffman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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11
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Jordan KP, Rathod‐Mistry T, Bailey J, Chen Y, Clarson L, Denaxas S, Hayward RA, Hemingway H, van der Windt DA, Mamas MA. Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk and Management of Patients Recorded in Primary Care With Unattributed Chest Pain: An Electronic Health Record Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e023146. [PMID: 35301875 PMCID: PMC9075433 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.023146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Most adults presenting with chest pain will not receive a diagnosis and be recorded with unattributed chest pain. The objective was to assess if they have increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those with noncoronary chest pain and determine whether investigations and interventions are targeted at those at highest risk. Methods and Results We used records from general practices in England linked to hospitalization and mortality information. The study population included patients aged 18 years or over with a new record of chest pain with a noncoronary cause or unattributed between 2002 and 2018, and no cardiovascular disease recorded up to 6 months (diagnostic window) afterward. We compared risk of a future cardiovascular event by type of chest pain, adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and alternative explanations for chest pain. We determined prevalence of cardiac diagnostic investigations and preventative medication during the diagnostic window in patients with estimated cardiovascular risk ≥10%. There were 375 240 patients with unattributed chest pain (245 329 noncoronary chest pain). There was an increased risk of cardiovascular events for patients with unattributed chest pain, highest in the first year (hazard ratio, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.21-1.29]), persistent up to 10 years. Patients with unattributed chest pain had consistently increased risk of myocardial infarction over time but no increased risk of stroke. Thirty percent of patients at higher risk were prescribed lipid-lowering medication. Conclusions Patients presenting to primary care with unattributed chest pain are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. Primary prevention to reduce cardiovascular events appears suboptimal in those at higher risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James Bailey
- School of MedicineKeele UniversityKeeleUnited Kingdom
| | - Ying Chen
- School of MedicineKeele UniversityKeeleUnited Kingdom
- Department of Health and Environmental SciencesXi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Lorna Clarson
- School of MedicineKeele UniversityKeeleUnited Kingdom
| | - Spiros Denaxas
- Institute of Health InformaticsUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Health Data Research UKUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Harry Hemingway
- Institute of Health InformaticsUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Health Data Research UKUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- The National Institute for Health ResearchUniversity College London Hospitals Biomedical Research CentreLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Mamas A. Mamas
- Keele Cardiovascular Research GroupSchool of MedicineKeele UniversityKeeleUnited Kingdom
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12
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Kamiński M, Borger M, Bogdański P. The Retrospective Analysis of Google Queries Related to Cardiovascular Diseases Symptoms in the Years 2004-2019. Int J Angiol 2022; 31:27-33. [PMID: 35221849 PMCID: PMC8881112 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Internet enables immediate access to health-related information. We aimed to rank the complaints related to cardiovascular diseases among Google users globally and locally as well as investigate secular and seasonal trends in the years 2004 to 2019. We used Google Trends (GT) to identify and analyze course over time and regional interest of seven topics: "Chest pain," "Cyanosis," "Edema," "Orthopnea," "Palpitation," "Shortness of breath," and "Syncope." We analyzed secular trends using the seasonal Mann-Kendall test and seasonal variation using time series decomposition. We calculated the interest of all topics in proportion to the relative search volume (RSV) of "Chest Pain." Globally the most popular topics were: "Edema" (proportion to RSV of "Chest pain," 1.39), "Chest pain" (1.00), and Syncope (0.71). "Chest pain" was predominately searched in n = 25 countries, while "Edema" in n = 24, "Syncope" in n = 9, and "Shortness of breath" in n = 3. The RSV of all topics increases over time and the most dynamically for "Chest pain" (4.30 RSV/year), "Shortness of breath" (3.87 RSV/year), and "Palpitations" (3.69 RSV/year). Interest in "Chest pain," "Cyanosis," "Orthopnea," "Palpitations," and "Syncope" peaks in fall and winter, while interest in "Edema" in midsummer and "Shortness of breath" in April. Google users were particularly interested in "Edema," "Chest pain," and "Syncope." The interest in cardiovascular diseases-related symptoms increases over time and presents explicable seasonal variations. The Internet plays the acquisition of health-related information; thus, professionals should create and recommend evidence-based information sources for their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikołaj Kamiński
- Department of Treatment of Obesity, Metabolic Disorders and Clinical Dietetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Michał Borger
- University Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Bogdański
- Department of Treatment of Obesity, Metabolic Disorders and Clinical Dietetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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13
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Kleton M, Manten A, Smits I, Rietveld R, Lucassen WAM, Harskamp RE. Performance of risk scores for coronary artery disease: a retrospective cohort study of patients with chest pain in urgent primary care. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045387. [PMID: 34880006 PMCID: PMC8655518 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Marburg Heart Score (MHS), INTERCHEST, Gencer rule, Bruins Slot rule and compare these with unaided clinical judgement in patients with chest pain in urgent primary care. DESIGN Retrospective, cohort study. SETTING Regional primary care facility responsible for out-of-hours primary care for a quarter-million people in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Consecutive patients aged ≥18 years who were evaluated for chest pain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Discriminatory ability (C-statistic), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV/NPV). The reference standard involved a composite endpoint of the occurrence of death, acute coronary syndrome or coronary revascularisation (=major adverse cardiac events; MACE) up to 6 weeks after initial contact. RESULTS A total of 664 patients were included, of whom 4.8% (n=32) had a MACE event. C-statistics for MHS, INTERCHEST, Gencer and Bruins Slot rule were: 0.77 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.84), 0.85 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.92), 0.72 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.81) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.81), respectively. Optimal diagnostic accuracy was found for MHS ≥2 (sensitivity=81.3%, specificity=67.1%, PPV=11.1%, NPV=98.6%), INTERCHEST ≥2 (sensitivity=87.5%, specificity=78.8%, PPV=17.3%, NPV=99.1%), Gencer ≥2 (sensitivity=84.4%, specificity=37.8%, PPV=6.4%, NPV=98.0%) and Bruins Slot≥2 (sensitivity=90.6%, specificity=40.8%, PPV=7.2%, NPV=98.9%). Physicians referred 157 patients (23.6%) and missed 6 out of 32 MACEs (sensitivity=81.3%, specificity=79.3%, PPV=16.6%, NPV=98.8%). Using INTERCHEST with a referral threshold of ≥2 points, 4 MACEs would have been missed and 162 patients (24.4%) referred. The other risk scores resulted in far higher referral rates. CONCLUSION While available risk scores have reasonable to good discriminatory properties, they do not outperform unaided clinical judgment for evaluating chest pain in urgent primary care. Only the INTERCHEST score may slightly improve risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kleton
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amy Manten
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Smits
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Rietveld
- Huisartsenpost, Huisartsenorganisatie Noord-Kennemerland (HONK), Alkmaar, The Netherlands
| | - Wim A M Lucassen
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ralf E Harskamp
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Bergmann M, Haasenritter J, Beidatsch D, Schwarm S, Hörner K, Bösner S, Grevenrath P, Schmidt L, Viniol A, Donner-Banzhoff N, Becker A. Prevalence, aetiologies and prognosis of the symptom cough in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2021; 22:151. [PMID: 34253179 PMCID: PMC8274469 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01501-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Cough is a relevant reason for encounter in primary care. For evidence-based decision making, general practitioners need setting-specific knowledge about prevalences, pre-test probabilities, and prognosis. Accordingly, we performed a systematic review of symptom-evaluating studies evaluating cough as reason for encounter in primary care. Methods We conducted a search in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Eligibility criteria and methodological quality were assessed independently by two reviewers. We extracted data on prevalence, aetiologies and prognosis, and estimated the variation across studies. If justifiable in terms of heterogeneity, we performed a meta-analysis. Results We identified 21 eligible studies on prevalence, 12 on aetiology, and four on prognosis. Prevalence/incidence estimates were 3.8–4.2%/12.5% (Western primary care) and 10.3–13.8%/6.3–6.5% in Africa, Asia and South America. In Western countries the underlying diagnoses for acute cough or cough of all durations were respiratory tract infections (73–91.9%), influenza (6–15.2%), asthma (3.2–15%), laryngitis/tracheitis (3.6–9%), pneumonia (4.0–4.2%), COPD (0.5–3.3%), heart failure (0.3%), and suspected malignancy (0.2–1.8%). Median time for recovery was 9 to 11 days. Complete recovery was reported by 40.2- 67% of patients after two weeks, and by 79% after four weeks. About 21.1–35% of patients re-consulted; 0–1.3% of acute cough patients were hospitalized, none died. Evidence is missing concerning subacute and chronic cough. Conclusion Prevalences and incidences of cough are high and show regional variation. Acute cough, mainly caused by respiratory tract infections, is usually self-limiting (supporting a “wait-and-see” strategy). We have no setting-specific evidence to support current guideline recommendations concerning subacute or chronic cough in Western primary care. Our study presents epidemiological data under non non-pandemic conditions. It will be interesting to compare these data to future research results of the post-pandemic era. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-021-01501-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Bergmann
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Jörg Haasenritter
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Beidatsch
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Schwarm
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kaja Hörner
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Bösner
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paula Grevenrath
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Laura Schmidt
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Annika Viniol
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Annette Becker
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
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15
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Bergmann M, Haasenritter J, Beidatsch D, Schwarm S, Hörner K, Bösner S, Grevenrath P, Schmidt L, Viniol A, Donner-Banzhoff N, Becker A. Coughing children in family practice and primary care: a systematic review of prevalence, aetiology and prognosis. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:260. [PMID: 34088294 PMCID: PMC8176681 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02739-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For evidence-based decision making, primary care physicians need to have specific and reliable information on the pre-test probabilities of underlying diseases and a symptom's course. We performed a systematic review of symptom-evaluating studies in primary care, following three research questions: (1) What is the prevalence of the symptom cough in children consulting primary care physicians? (2) What are the underlying aetiologies of cough and the respective frequencies? (3) What is the prognosis of children with cough? METHODS Following a pre-defined algorithm and independent double reviewer ratings we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE. All quantitative original research articles in English, French or German were included if they focused on unselected study populations of children consulting a primary care physician for cough. We used the random effects model for meta-analysis in subgroups, if justifiable in terms of heterogeneity. RESULTS We identified 14 eligible studies on prevalence, five on aetiology and one on prognosis. Prevalence estimates varied between 4.7 and 23.3% of all reasons for an encounter, or up to estimates of 60% when related to patients or consultations. Cough in children is more frequent than in adults, with lowest prevalences in adolescents and in summer. Acute cough is mostly caused by upper respiratory tract infections (62.4%) and bronchitis (33.3%); subacute or chronic cough by recurrent respiratory tract infection (27.7%), asthma (up to 50.4% in cough persisting more than 3 weeks), and pertussis (37.2%). Potentially serious diseases like croup, pneumonia or tuberculosis are scarce. In children with subacute and chronic cough the total duration of cough ranged from 24 to 192 days. About 62.3% of children suffering from prolonged cough are still coughing two months after the beginning of symptoms. CONCLUSION Cough is one of the most frequent reasons for an encounter in primary care. Our findings fit in with current guideline recommendations supporting a thoughtful wait-and-see approach in acute cough and a special awareness in chronic cough of the possibility of asthma and pertussis. Further evidence of aetiological pre-test probabilities is needed to assess the diagnostic gain based on patient history and clinical signs for differential diagnoses of cough in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Bergmann
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Haasenritter
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Beidatsch
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Schwarm
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kaja Hörner
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Bösner
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paula Grevenrath
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Laura Schmidt
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Annika Viniol
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Annette Becker
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
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Mandrekar S, Venkatesan P, Nagaraja R. Prevalence of musculoskeletal chest pain in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scand J Pain 2021; 21:434-444. [PMID: 33838099 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2020-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objective was to systematically review and meta-analyse relevant studies to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal chest pain in the emergency department. METHODS This review was constructed while confirming to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Science Direct, and OVID were systematically searched from their inception to January 19, 2020, to identify observational studies, where the prevalence of musculoskeletal causes of chest pain was reported in isolation or in combination with other causes or could be calculated from the available data. RESULTS A meta-analysis of the nine included studies, having a total of 14,743 participants, showed the global pooled prevalence of musculoskeletal chest pain in the emergency department to be 16% (10-22%) [I 2=99.24%]. The pooled prevalence for the European continent was 17% (9-25%) [I 2=99.51%] and that for the urban areas was 13% (7-19%) [I 2=99.00%]. CONCLUSIONS This review provides a reliable estimate of the prevalence of musculoskeletal chest pain in the emergency department. More studies providing age and gender-specific data for the prevalence of musculoskeletal chest pain in the emergency department should be carried out. A paucity of such data from rural areas also needs to be addressed in future research work. The prevalence values from this study will be useful in the application of Bayesian reasoning utilised in diagnosing patients, where the process of Bayesian arguing begins by knowing pre-test probabilities of different differential diagnosis, in this case that of musculoskeletal chest pain in the emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Mandrekar
- Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Prem Venkatesan
- Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Ravishankar Nagaraja
- Department of Biostatistics, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
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Bader AS, Rubinowitz AN, Gange CP, Bader EM, Cortopassi IO. Imaging in the Evaluation of Chest Pain in the Primary Care Setting, Part 2: Sources of Noncardiac Chest Pain. Am J Med 2020; 133:1135-1142. [PMID: 32442508 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Chest pain is a common presenting complaint in the primary care setting. Imaging plays a key role in the evaluation of the multiple organ systems that can be responsible for chest pain. With numerous imaging modalities available, determination of the most appropriate test and interpretation of the findings can be a challenge for the clinician. In this 2-part series, we offer resources to guide primary care physicians in the selection of imaging studies and present the imaging findings of various causes of nonemergent chest pain. In Part 2, we focus on the radiologic appearance of common noncardiac sources of chest pain, including gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eric M Bader
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
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Vester MPM, Eindhoven DC, Bonten TN, Wagenaar H, Holthuis HJ, Schalij MJ, de Grooth GJ, van Dijkman PRM. Utilization of diagnostic resources and costs in patients with suspected cardiac chest pain. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. QUALITY OF CARE & CLINICAL OUTCOMES 2020; 7:583-590. [PMID: 32810201 PMCID: PMC9172873 DOI: 10.1093/ehjqcco/qcaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Non-acute chest pain is a common complaint and can be caused by various conditions. With the rising healthcare expenditures of today, it is necessary to use our healthcare resources effectively. This study aims to give insight into the diagnostic effort and costs for patients with non-acute chest pain. METHODS AND RESULTS Financial data of patients without a cardiac history from 4 hospitals (January 2012-October 2018), who were registered with the national diagnostic code 'No cardiac pathology' (ICD-10 Z13.6), 'Chest wall syndrome' (ICD-10 R07.4) or 'stable angina pectoris' (ICD-10 I20.9) were extracted. In total, 74.091 patients were included for analysis and divided into the following final diagnosis groups: No cardiac pathology: N = 19.688 (age 53±18), 46% male), Chest wall syndrome: N = 40.858 (age 56±15), 45% male), and stable angina pectoris: N = 13.545 (age 67±11), 61% male). A total of approximately €142,7 million was spent during diagnostic work-up. The total expenditure during diagnostic effort was €1.97, €8.13, and €10.7 million respectively for no cardiac pathology, chest wall syndrome, and stable AP per year. After 8 years follow up ≥ 95% of the patients diagnosed with no cardiac pathology or chest wall syndrome had an (cardiac) ischemic free survival. CONCLUSION The diagnostic expenditure and clinical effort to ascertain non-cardiac chest pain is high. We should define what we as society find acceptable as 'assurance costs' with an increasing pressure on the healthcare system and costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P M Vester
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - D C Eindhoven
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - T N Bonten
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H Wagenaar
- Performation-HOT flo, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - H J Holthuis
- Performation-HOT flo, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - M J Schalij
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - G J de Grooth
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P R M van Dijkman
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Rationale and design of a cohort study evaluating triage of acute chest pain in out-of-hours primary care in the Netherlands (TRACE). Prim Health Care Res Dev 2020; 21:e10. [PMID: 32383424 PMCID: PMC7214526 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423620000122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study are (1) to evaluate the performance of current triage for chest pain; (2) to describe the case mix of patients undergoing triage for chest pain; and (3) to identify opportunities to improve performance of current Dutch triage system for chest pain. Chest pain is a common symptom, and identifying patients with chest pain that require urgent care can be quite challenging. Making the correct assessment is even harder during telephone triage. Temporal trends show that the referral threshold has lowered over time, resulting in overcrowding of first responders and emergency services. While various stakeholders advocate for a more efficient triage system, careful evaluation of the performance of the current triage in primary care is lacking. TRiage of Acute Chest pain Evaluation in primary care (TRACE) is a large cohort study designed to describe the current Dutch triage system for chest pain and subsequently evaluate triage performance in regard to clinical outcomes. The study consists of consecutive patients who contacted the out-of-hours primary care facility with chest pain in the region of Alkmaar, the Netherlands, in 2017, with follow-up for clinical outcomes out to August 2019. The primary outcome of interest is ‘major event’, which is defined as the occurrence of death from any cause, acute coronary syndrome, urgent coronary revascularization, or other high-risk diagnoses in which delay is inadmissible and hospitalization is necessary. We will evaluate the performance of the triage system by assessing the ability of the triage system to correctly classify patients regarding urgency (accuracy), the proportion of safe actions following triage (safety) as well as rightfully deployed ambulances (efficacy). TRACE is designed to describe the current Dutch triage system for chest pain in primary care and to subsequently evaluate triage performance in regard to clinical outcomes.
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Tunc E, Eve AA, Madak-Erdogan Z. Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction and Estrogen Receptor Signaling. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2020; 31:228-238. [PMID: 31787492 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chest pain with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) occurs more frequently in women than in men and is mainly related to coronary microvascular disease (CMD). The majority of CMD patients are postmenopausal women, suggesting a role for lack of estrogens in the development and progression of CMD. Patients are often discharged without a clear treatment plan due to the limited understanding of etiology and diagnostic parameters of CMD and have significantly higher rates of future cardiovascular events. Thus, there is a need for a better understanding of the underlying biology, and CMD-specific diagnostic tests and therapies. In this article, we reviewed recent studies on CMD, estrogen action in coronary microvasculature, and diagnosis and treatment options for CMD in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Tunc
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Alicia Arredondo Eve
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zeynep Madak-Erdogan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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21
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Barais M, Fossard E, Dany A, Montier T, Stolper E, Van Royen P. Accuracy of the general practitioner's sense of alarm when confronted with dyspnoea and/or chest pain: a prospective observational study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e034348. [PMID: 32075841 PMCID: PMC7044836 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dyspnoea and chest pain are symptoms shared with multiple pathologies ranging from the benign to life-threatening diseases. A Gut Feelings Questionnaire (GFQ) has been validated to measure the general practitioner's (GPs) sense of alarm or sense of reassurance. The aim of the study was to estimate the diagnostic test accuracy of GPs' sense of alarm when confronted with dyspnoea and chest pain. DESIGN AND SETTINGS Prospective observational study in general practice. PARTICIPANTS Patients aged between 18 and 80 years, consulting their GP for dyspnoea and/or chest pain, were considered for enrolment. These GPs had to complete the GFQ immediately after the consultation. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Life-threatening and non-life-threatening diseases have previously been defined according to the pathologies or symptoms in the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC)-2 classification. The index test was the sense of alarm and the reference standard was the final diagnosis at 4 weeks. RESULTS 25 GPs filled in 235 GFQ questionnaires. The positive likelihood ratio for the sense of alarm was 2.12 (95% CI 1.49 to 2.82), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.55 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.77). CONCLUSIONS Where the physician experienced a sense of alarm when a patient consulted him/her for dyspnoea and/or chest pain, the post-test odds that this patient had, in fact, a life-threatening disease was about twice as high as the pretest odds. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02932982.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Barais
- Department of General Practice, EA 7479 SPURBO, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, Bretagne, France
| | - Emilie Fossard
- Department of General Practice, EA 7479 SPURBO, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, Bretagne, France
| | - Antoine Dany
- Department of Public Health, EA 7479 SPURBO, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, Bretagne, France
| | - Tristan Montier
- Inserm UMR1078, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, Bretagne, France
| | - Erik Stolper
- CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care, University of Antwerp Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Van Royen
- Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care, University of Antwerp Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
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22
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Abstract
Introduction: Incidence of chest pain and discomfort varies in general population between 2 % and 5 %. Total prehospital delay involves two components: the time it takes for patients to recognise their symptoms as severe and seek medical attention, ie the decision-making time, and the time from seeking help to hospital admission, ie the transport time. Scope of the study was to analyse time loss in patients with chest pain hesitating to contact healthcare services, as well as distribution of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angina pectoris (AP) among them. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of physicians working at the emergency medical services (EMS) Department of the City of Belgrade, Serbia, from 20 April 2006 to 22 July 2013 on a total of 5,310 completed field interventions. When placing a call to the EMS, 10.43 % of patients cited chest pain as a major symptom. After deducting all those ones who denied having the symptom on examination thereafter and those for whom there were no data, 349 patients remained, ie 6.57 % of the total number of calls available for analysis. Results: The average time between the onset of chest pain and the decision to call the EMS was 11.97 h, median 2 h and mode 1 h. Patient's minimum prehospital delay was 2 min and the maximum was 20 days. Most patients who experienced chest pain or discomfort waited less than an hour before calling the EMS. Most commonly diagnoses made for a symptom of chest pain were AMI and AP, ie AMI with 12.32 % of the total diagnoses, as well as the elevated arterial pressure. There were more female patients, with no difference found among the age groups. Conclusion: For the majority of patients with chest pain and discomfort presented in this paper the decision-making time was up to one hour, with cardiovascular causes being the at the top of the list.
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23
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van Dongen DN, Ottervanger JP, Tolsma R, Fokkert M, van der Sluis A, van 't Hof AWJ, Badings E, Slingerland RJ. In-Hospital Healthcare Utilization, Outcomes, and Costs in Pre-Hospital-Adjudicated Low-Risk Chest-Pain Patients. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2019; 17:875-882. [PMID: 31388939 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-019-00502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that in patients presenting with acute chest pain, pre-hospital triage can accurately identify low-risk patients. It is, however, still unclear which diagnostics are performed in pre-hospital-adjudicated low-risk patients and what the contribution is of those diagnostic results in the healthcare process. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to quantify healthcare utilization, costs, and outcomes in pre-hospital-adjudicated low-risk chest-pain patients, and to extrapolate to total costs in the Netherlands. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study including 700 patients with suspected non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome in which pre-hospital risk stratification using the HEART score was performed by paramedics. Low risk was defined as a pre-hospital HEART score ≤ 3. Data on (results of) hospital diagnostics, costs, and discharge diagnosis were collected. RESULTS A total of 172 (25%) patients were considered as low risk. Of these low-risk patients, the mean age was 54 years, 52% were male, and 84% of patients were discharged within 12 h. Repeated electrocardiography and routine laboratory measurements, including cardiac markers, were performed in all patients. Chest X-ray was performed in 61% and echocardiography in 11% of patients. After additional diagnostics, two patients (1.2%) were diagnosed as non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and two patients (1.2%) as unstable angina. Other diagnoses were atrial fibrillation (n = 1) and acute pancreatitis/cholecystitis (n = 2); all other patients had non-specific/non-acute discharge diagnoses. Mean in-hospital costs per patient were €1580. The estimated yearly acute healthcare cost in low-risk chest-pain patients in the Netherlands is €30,438,700. CONCLUSION In low-risk chest-pain patients according to pre-hospital risk assessment, acute healthcare utilization and costs are high, with limited added value. Possibly, if a complete risk assessment can be performed by ambulance paramedics, acute hospitalization of the majority of low-risk patients is not necessary, which can lead to substantial cost reduction. TRIAL ID Dutch Trial Register [http://www.trialregister.nl]: trial number 4205.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique N van Dongen
- Department of Cardiology, Isala Hospital, Dr. Van Heesweg 2, 8025 AB, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Paul Ottervanger
- Department of Cardiology, Isala Hospital, Dr. Van Heesweg 2, 8025 AB, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Rudolf Tolsma
- Regional Ambulance Service IJsselland, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Fokkert
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | | | - Arnoud W J van 't Hof
- Zuyderland MC, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, MUMC, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Badings
- Department of Cardiology, Deventer Hospital, Deventer, The Netherlands
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Implementation of an integrated care model between general practitioner and cardiologist. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE 2019. [DOI: 10.1108/jica-04-2019-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
Integrated care models have shown to deliver efficient healthcare, but implementation has proven to be difficult. The Support Consultation is an integrated care model, which enables full integration by bundled payment, insurer involvement, predefined care pathways and strengthening of primary care. The purpose of this paper is to provide an indication of the improvements in healthcare delivery after implementation of this proposed model and to create a base for extension to similar interfaces between primary and secondary care.
Design/methodology/approach
A retrospective study was used to compare the effect on the number of referred patients with non-acute cardiac complaints and the cost effectiveness before and after implementation of the Support Consultation. Patients who previously would have been referred to the cardiologist were now discussed between general practitioner and cardiologist in a primary care setting.
Findings
The first consecutive 100 patients (age 55±16 years, male 48 percent), discussed in the Support Consultation, were analyzed. Implementation of the Support Consultation resulted in a net costs (program costs and referral costs) reduction of 61 percent compared with usual care. All involved parties were positive about the program.
Research limitations/implications
The Support Consultation has the ability to provide more effective healthcare delivery and to reduce net costs. The setting of the current study can be used as example for other specialties in countries with a similar healthcare system.
Originality/value
This study provides the potential cost savings after implementation of an integrated care model, based on real-life data.
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25
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Gómez-Escudero O, Coss-Adame E, Amieva-Balmori M, Carmona-Sánchez R, Remes-Troche J, Abreu-Abreu A, Cerda-Contreras E, Gómez-Castaños P, González-Martínez M, Huerta-Iga F, Ibarra-Palomino J, Icaza-Chávez M, López-Colombo A, Márquez-Murillo M, Mejía-Rivas M, Morales-Arámbula M, Rodríguez-Chávez J, Torres-Barrera G, Valdovinos-García L, Valdovinos-Díaz M, Vázquez-Elizondo G, Villar-Chávez A, Zavala-Solares M, Achem S. The Mexican consensus on non-cardiac chest pain. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO (ENGLISH EDITION) 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Gómez-Escudero O, Coss-Adame E, Amieva-Balmori M, Carmona-Sánchez RI, Remes-Troche JM, Abreu Y Abreu AT, Cerda-Contreras E, Gómez-Castaños PC, González-Martínez MA, Huerta-Iga FM, Ibarra-Palomino J, Icaza-Chávez ME, López-Colombo A, Márquez-Murillo MF, Mejía-Rivas M, Morales-Arámbula M, Rodríguez-Chávez JL, Torres-Barrera G, Valdovinos-García LR, Valdovinos-Díaz MA, Vázquez-Elizondo G, Villar-Chávez AS, Zavala-Solares M, Achem SR. The Mexican consensus on non-cardiac chest pain. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO 2019; 84:372-397. [PMID: 31213326 DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-cardiac chest pain is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by retrosternal pain similar to that of angina pectoris, but of non-cardiac origin and produced by esophageal, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, or psychiatric diseases. AIM To present a consensus review based on evidence regarding the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain, as well as the therapeutic options for those patients. METHODS Three general coordinators carried out a literature review of all articles published in English and Spanish on the theme and formulated 38 initial statements, dividing them into 3 main categories: (i)definitions, epidemiology, and pathophysiology; (ii)diagnosis, and (iii)treatment. The statements underwent 3rounds of voting, utilizing the Delphi system. The final statements were those that reached >75% agreement, and they were rated utilizing the GRADE system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The final consensus included 29 statements. All patients presenting with chest pain should initially be evaluated by a cardiologist. The most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain is gastroesophageal reflux disease. If there are no alarm symptoms, the initial approach should be a therapeutic trial with a proton pump inhibitor for 2-4weeks. If dysphagia or alarm symptoms are present, endoscopy is recommended. High-resolution manometry is the best method for ruling out spastic motor disorders and achalasia and pH monitoring aids in demonstrating abnormal esophageal acid exposure. Treatment should be directed at the pathophysiologic mechanism. It can include proton pump inhibitors, neuromodulators and/or smooth muscle relaxants, psychologic intervention and/or cognitive therapy, and occasionally surgery or endoscopic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Gómez-Escudero
- Clínica de Gastroenterología, Endoscopia Digestiva y Motilidad Gastrointestinal «Endoneurogastro», Hospital Ángeles Puebla, Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - E Coss-Adame
- Departamento de Gastroenterología y Laboratorio de Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición «Salvador Zubirán», Ciudad de México, México.
| | - M Amieva-Balmori
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Digestiva y Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Instituto de Investigaciones Médico Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, México
| | - R I Carmona-Sánchez
- Unidad de Medicina Ambulatoria Christus Muguerza, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - J M Remes-Troche
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Digestiva y Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Instituto de Investigaciones Médico Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, México
| | - A T Abreu Y Abreu
- Gastroenterología y Fisiología Digestiva, Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal, Ciudad de México, México
| | - E Cerda-Contreras
- Medicina Interna, Gastroenterología y Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Hospital Médica Sur, Profesor de Medicina ITESM, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - M A González-Martínez
- Departamento de Endoscopia, Laboratorio de Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Hospital de Especialidades CMN Siglo XXI IMSS, Ciudad de México, México
| | - F M Huerta-Iga
- Jefe de Endoscopia y Fisiología Digestiva, Hospital Ángeles Torreón, Torreón, Coahuila, México
| | - J Ibarra-Palomino
- Laboratorio de Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Área de Gastroenterología, Hospital Ángeles del Carmen, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - M E Icaza-Chávez
- Hospital Star Médica de Mérida, Profesora de Gastroenterología de la UNIMAYAB, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - A López-Colombo
- Dirección de Educación e Investigación en Salud, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional «Manuel Ávila Camacho», Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - M F Márquez-Murillo
- Cardiólogo Electrofisiólogo, Departamento de Electrocardiología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología «Ignacio Chávez», Ciudad de México, México
| | - M Mejía-Rivas
- Gastroenterología, Endoscopia, Neurogastroenterología, Hospital «Vivien Pellas», Managua, Nicaragua
| | | | - J L Rodríguez-Chávez
- Gastroenterología y Neurogastroenterología, Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - G Torres-Barrera
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Universitario, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Profesor de cátedra, ITESM, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - L R Valdovinos-García
- Departamento de Gastroenterología y Laboratorio de Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición «Salvador Zubirán», Ciudad de México, México
| | - M A Valdovinos-Díaz
- Departamento de Gastroenterología y Laboratorio de Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición «Salvador Zubirán», Ciudad de México, México
| | - G Vázquez-Elizondo
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Tecnológico de Monterrey, OnCare Group, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - A S Villar-Chávez
- Gastroenterología y Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Hospital Ángeles Acoxpa, Ciudad de México, México
| | - M Zavala-Solares
- Unidad de Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital General de México «Dr. Eduardo Liceaga», Ciudad de México, México
| | - S R Achem
- Profesor de Medicina Interna y Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina, Mayo College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, Estados Unidos de América
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The conundrum of acute chest pain in general practice: a nationwide survey in The Netherlands. BJGP Open 2019; 2:bjgpopen18X101619. [PMID: 30723804 PMCID: PMC6348327 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpopen18x101619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background GPs are frequently confronted with patients with acute onset chest pain. Although usually benign, approximately 5% is due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Unfortunately, ACS is not always recognised, leading to a missed diagnosis in 2–5% of presentations. Aim The authors set out to study the level of risk GPs are willing to accept with regards to missing an ACS diagnosis, and the receptiveness of implementing new clinical decision aids. Design & setting This study involved an online survey among GPs in the Netherlands. Method A concept survey was constructed, which was tested among a panel of 24 GPs. The survey was then modified to achieve content validity. This survey was electronically distributed among 1000 GPs. Results A total of 313 (31.3%) GPs completed the survey. Of those surveyed, the median age was 50 years (interquartile range 41–57), 53.0% were female, and 6.4% were specialist GPs ('kaderarts') in cardiology or acute care. GPs estimated the missed ACS rate to be <5.0% in clinical practice, most often estimating a chance of 1.0–2.5% (35.2%) or 0.5–1.0% (29.7%). For atypical case presentations, 70% of GPs would accept a 0.1–1.0% missed diagnosis rate, while keeping the referral threshold to a maximum of 50 unnecessary referrals for each ACS case (75% of responders). GPs would welcome additional decision aids, with 79.2% favouring a clinical decision aid, 77.1% favouring troponin point-of-care (POC) testing, and 85.5% favoring a combination of a clinical decision aid and a troponin POC test. Conclusion GPs perceive that they miss more ACS cases than they feel comfortable with, which is reflected in a defensive referral strategy. The vast majority of GPs would welcome the use of clinical decision aids and/or cardiac biomarker POC testing for ruling out ACS, if accompanied by more certainty than based on clinical judgment alone.
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28
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Romiti GF, Cangemi R, Toriello F, Ruscio E, Sciomer S, Moscucci F, Vincenti M, Crescioli C, Proietti M, Basili S, Raparelli V. Sex-Specific Cut-Offs for High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin: Is Less More? Cardiovasc Ther 2019; 2019:9546931. [PMID: 31772621 PMCID: PMC6739766 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9546931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with chest pain is continuously evolving. In the setting of acute coronary syndrome, the availability of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays (hs-cTn) has allowed for the development of algorithms aimed at rapidly assessing the risk of an ongoing myocardial infarction. However, concerns were raised about the massive application of such a simplified approach to heterogeneous real-world populations. As a result, there is a potential risk of underdiagnosis in several clusters of patients, including women, for whom a lower threshold for hs-cTn was suggested to be more appropriate. Implementation in clinical practice of sex-tailored cut-off values for hs-cTn represents a hot topic due to the need to reduce inequality and improve diagnostic performance in females. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence on sex-specific cut-off values of hs-cTn and their application and usefulness in clinical practice. We also offer an extensive overview of thresholds reported in literature and of the mechanisms underlying such differences among sexes, suggesting possible explanations about debated issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Francesco Romiti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza–University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Cangemi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza–University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Toriello
- Division of Cardiology, San Paolo Hospital, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Ruscio
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Sciomer
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrology, Anesthesiology and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza–University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Moscucci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrology, Anesthesiology and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza–University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Vincenti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza–University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Crescioli
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Proietti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Basili
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza–University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Raparelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza–University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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29
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Lal A, Akhtar J, Isaac S, Mishra AK, Khan MS, Noreldin M, Abraham GM. Unusual cause of chest pain, Bornholm disease, a forgotten entity; case report and review of literature. Respir Med Case Rep 2018; 25:270-273. [PMID: 30364740 PMCID: PMC6197799 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chest pain is a common symptom culminating in hospital admissions and specialist referrals. Although cardiac work up is pursued in most of the cases, cardiac etiology is found to be the culprit in minority of the cases. Acute chest pain is a clinical syndrome that may be caused by almost any condition affecting the thorax, abdomen, or internal organs. On occasions this extensive and expensive diagnostic work up can be avoided with awareness of commoner and non-lethal reasons. We report a case of a woman with Bornholm disease secondary to Coxsackievirus B5 (CB5) infection and supplementary review of literature till date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Lal
- Department of Internal Medicine, 123 Summer Street, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, 01608, USA
| | - Jamal Akhtar
- Department of Internal Medicine, 123 Summer Street, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, 01608, USA
| | - Sangeetha Isaac
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Sengkang General Hospital, 110 Sengkang East Way, Singapore 544886, Singapore
| | - Ajay Kumar Mishra
- Department of Internal Medicine, 123 Summer Street, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, 01608, USA
| | | | - Mohsen Noreldin
- Department of Internal Medicine, 123 Summer Street, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, 01608, USA
| | - George M Abraham
- Department of Internal Medicine, 123 Summer Street, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, 01608, USA
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30
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Donner-Banzhoff N. Solving the Diagnostic Challenge: A Patient-Centered Approach. Ann Fam Med 2018; 16:353-358. [PMID: 29987086 PMCID: PMC6037523 DOI: 10.1370/afm.2264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Arriving at an agreed-on and valid explanation for a clinical problem is important to patients as well as to clinicians. Current theories of how clinicians arrive at diagnoses, such as the threshold approach and the hypothetico-deductive model, do not accurately describe the diagnostic process in general practice. The problem space in general practice is so large and the prior probability of each disease being present is so small that it is not realistic to limit the diagnostic process to testing specific diagnoses on the clinician's list of possibilities. Here, new evidence is discussed about how patients and clinicians collaborate in specific ways, in particular, via a process that can be termed inductive foraging, which may lead to information that triggers a diagnostic routine. Navigating the diagnostic challenge and using patient-centered consulting are not separate tasks but rather synergistic.
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31
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Biesemans L, Cleef LE, Willemsen RTA, Hoorweg BBN, Renier WS, Buntinx F, Glatz JFC, Dinant GJ. Managing chest pain patients in general practice: an interview-based study. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2018; 19:80. [PMID: 29859536 PMCID: PMC5985055 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-018-0771-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Assessment of chest pain in general practice is challenging. General practitioners (GPs) often feel uncertainty when dealing with chest pain. The role of new diagnostic tools is yet unclear. Therefore, we aimed to learn: (1) whether or not GPs experience a change in incidence and presentation of chest pain, (2) how GPs deal with uncertainty, and (3) which thoughts, demands and doubts concerning new diagnostic tools occur. Methods Semi-structured, face to face interview based study, aiming at six main subjects: experienced changes in prevalence of chest pain, the management of chest pain patients, dealing with uncertainty, the GPs’ approach in referring chest pain patients, GPs’ attitude towards ‘unnecessary’ referrals, and the GPs’ suggestions for improving the management of chest pain patients. Results 145 GPs in Belgium and the Netherlands were invited to participate, 27 (15 Flemish and 12 Dutch) GPs were interviewed. Data saturation was reached. The number of patients having an acute coronary syndrome among chest pain patients is decreasing, whereas the presentation of atypical complaints increases, together leading to more uncertainty. GPs rely on their own judgment above all, and desire new diagnostic tools only when these tools are of proven added value. Conclusion The incidence of chest pain in general practice is not decreasing according to the GPs. However, the presentation of chest pain is changing. GPs feel relatively comfortable with referring a considerable number of chest pain patients without ACS, as over-referral is safe. Uncertainty is regarded as a substantial element of their profession. New diagnostic tools are awaited with cautiousness. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12875-018-0771-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Biesemans
- Department of Family Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte E Cleef
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, (PO box 616), Maastricht, 6200, MD, the Netherlands
| | - Robert T A Willemsen
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, (PO box 616), Maastricht, 6200, MD, the Netherlands.
| | - Beatrijs B N Hoorweg
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, (PO box 616), Maastricht, 6200, MD, the Netherlands
| | - Walter S Renier
- Department of Family Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank Buntinx
- Department of Family Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, (PO box 616), Maastricht, 6200, MD, the Netherlands
| | - Jan F C Glatz
- Department of Genetics & Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan Dinant
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, (PO box 616), Maastricht, 6200, MD, the Netherlands
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32
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Hensley CP, Emerson AJ. Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Clinical Reasoning in the Management of a Patient Referred to Physical Therapy for Costochondritis. Phys Ther 2018; 98:503-509. [PMID: 29361051 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzy011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chest pain, a frequent complaint for seeking medical care, is often attributed to musculoskeletal pathology. Costochondritis is a common disorder presenting as chest pain. Initial physical therapist examination emphasizes red flag screening. Reexamination throughout the episode of care is critical, particularly when patients are not progressing and/or in the presence of complex pain presentations. The purpose of this case report is to describe the clinical reasoning process in the management of a patient referred to physical therapy with a medical diagnosis of costochondritis. CASE DESCRIPTION A 59-year-old woman presented with a 5-month history of left-sided chest pain that had progressed to include the cervical and shoulder regions. She reported multiple psychosocial stressors; a depression screen was positive. She reported a history of asthma and smoking and improvement in recent fatigue, coughing, dyspnea, and sweating. At the initial visit, shoulder, cervical, and thoracic active and passive range of motion and joint mobility testing reproduced her pain. Allodynia was present throughout the painful areas in the left upper quarter. OUTCOMES The patient demonstrated improvement over 30 days (4 visits). On her fifth visit (day 35), she reported an exacerbation of her chest and upper extremity pain and noted increased fatigue, sweating, dyspnea, and loss of appetite. Even though her pain was again reproduced with musculoskeletal testing, the physical therapist contacted the patient's physician regarding the change in presentation. A subsequent chest computed tomography scan revealed a non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma. DISCUSSION Cancer can masquerade as a musculoskeletal condition. This case highlights the importance of screening, clinical reasoning, and communication throughout the episode of care, particularly in the presence of chronic pain and psychosocial stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P Hensley
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1100, Chicago, IL 60611 (USA)
| | - Alicia J Emerson
- Department of Physical Therapy, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina
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33
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Bösner S, Schwarm S, Grevenrath P, Schmidt L, Hörner K, Beidatsch D, Bergmann M, Viniol A, Becker A, Haasenritter J. Prevalence, aetiologies and prognosis of the symptom dizziness in primary care - a systematic review. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2018; 19:33. [PMID: 29458336 PMCID: PMC5819275 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-017-0695-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dizziness is a common reason for consulting a general practitioner and there is a broad range of possible underlying aetiologies. There are few evidence-based data about prevalence, aetiology and prognosis in primary care. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of symptom-evaluating studies on prevalence, aetiology or prognosis of dizziness in primary care. METHODS We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE. Two independent researchers screened titles and abstracts according to predefined criteria. We included all studies evaluating the symptoms 'dizziness' or 'vertigo' as a reason for consultation in primary care. We extracted data about study population and methodology and prevalence, aetiology and prognosis. Two raters independently judged study quality and risk of bias. We investigated the variation across studies using forest plots, I2 and prediction intervals. Since we anticipated a great amount of clinical and unexplained statistical heterogeneity, we provided qualitative syntheses instead of pooled estimates. RESULTS We identified 31 studies (22 on prevalence, 14 on aetiology and 8 on prognosis). Consultation prevalence differs between 1,0 and 15,5%. The most common aetiologies are vestibular/peripheral (5,4-42,1%), benign peripheral positional vertigo (4,3-39,5%), vestibular neuritis (0,6-24,0%), Menière's disease (1,4-2,7%), cardiovascular disease (3,8-56,8%), neurological disease (1,4-11,4%), psychogenic (1,8-21,6%), no clear diagnosis (0,0-80,2%). While studies based on subjective patient assessment reported improvement rates from 37 to 77%, these findings could not be confirmed when applying instruments that measure symptom severity or quality of life. CONCLUSION There is a broad variety of possible underlying diseases for the symptom dizziness. There exist only few methodologically sound studies concerning aetiology and prognosis of dizziness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bösner
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Schwarm
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Paula Grevenrath
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Laura Schmidt
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Kaja Hörner
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Beidatsch
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Milena Bergmann
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Annika Viniol
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Annette Becker
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Haasenritter
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 435043 Marburg, Germany
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34
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Early health technology assessment of future clinical decision rule aided triage of patients presenting with acute chest pain in primary care. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2017; 19:176-188. [PMID: 29249206 DOI: 10.1017/s146342361700069x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of the paper is to estimate the number of patients presenting with chest pain suspected of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in primary care and to calculate possible cost effects of a future clinical decision rule (CDR) incorporating a point-of-care test (PoCT) as compared with current practice. The annual incidence of chest pain, referrals and ACS in primary care was estimated based on a literature review and on a Dutch and Belgian registration study. A health economic model was developed to calculate the potential impact of a future CDR on costs and effects (ie, correct referral decisions), in several scenarios with varying correct referral decisions. One-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test robustness of the model outcome to changes in input parameters. Annually, over one million patient contacts in primary care in the Netherlands concern chest pain. Currently, referral of eventual ACS negative patients (false positives, FPs) is estimated to cost €1,448 per FP patient, with total annual cost exceeding 165 million Euros in the Netherlands. Based on 'international data', at least a 29% reduction in FPs is required for the addition of a PoCT as part of a CDR to become cost-saving, and an additional €16 per chest pain patient (ie, 16.4 million Euros annually in the Netherlands) is saved for every further 10% relative decrease in FPs. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the model outcome was robust to changes in model inputs, with costs outcomes mainly driven by costs of FPs and costs of PoCT. If PoCT-aided triage of patients with chest pain in primary care could improve exclusion of ACS, this CDR could lead to a considerable reduction in annual healthcare costs as compared with current practice.
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35
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Hoorweg BB, Willemsen RT, Cleef LE, Boogaerts T, Buntinx F, Glatz JF, Dinant GJ. Frequency of chest pain in primary care, diagnostic tests performed and final diagnoses. Heart 2017. [PMID: 28634285 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Observational study of patients with chest pain in primary care: determination of incidence, referral rate, diagnostic tests and (agreement between) working and final diagnoses. METHODS 118 general practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands and Belgium recorded all patient contacts during 2weeks. Furthermore, patients presenting with chest pain were registered extensively. A follow-up form was filled in after 30 days. RESULTS 22 294 patient contacts were registered. In 281 (1.26%), chest pain was a reason for consulting the GP (mean age for men 54.4/women 53 years). In this cohort of 281 patients, in 38.1% of patients, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was suspected at least temporarily during consultation, 40.2% of patients were referred to secondary care and 512 diagnostic tests were performed by GPs and consulted specialists. Musculoskeletal pain was the most frequent working (26.1%) and final diagnoses (33.1%). Potentially life-threatening diseases as final diagnosis (such as myocardial infarction) accounted for 8.4% of all chest pain cases. In 23.1% of cases, a major difference between working and final diagnoses was found, in 0.7% a severe disease was initially missed by the GP. CONCLUSION Chest pain was present in 281 patients (1.26% of all consultations). Final diagnoses were mostly non-life-threatening. Nevertheless, in 8.4% of patients with chest pain, life-threatening underlying causes were identified. This seems reflected in the magnitude and wide variety of diagnostic tests performed in these patients by GPs and specialists, in the (safe) overestimation of life-threatening diseases by GPs at initial assessment and in the high referral rate we found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrijs Bn Hoorweg
- Department Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Ta Willemsen
- Department Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte E Cleef
- Department Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Boogaerts
- Department Family Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank Buntinx
- Department Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department Family Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Fc Glatz
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Jan Dinant
- Department Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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36
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Campbell KA, Madva EN, Villegas AC, Beale EE, Beach SR, Wasfy JH, Albanese AM, Huffman JC. Non-cardiac Chest Pain: A Review for the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist. PSYCHOSOMATICS 2017; 58:252-265. [PMID: 28196622 PMCID: PMC5526698 DOI: 10.1016/j.psym.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients presenting with chest pain to general practice or emergency providers represent a unique challenge, as the differential is broad and varies widely in acuity. Importantly, most cases of chest pain in both acute and general practice settings are ultimately found to be non-cardiac in origin, and a substantial proportion of patients experiencing non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) suffer significant disability. In light of emerging evidence that mental health providers can serve a key role in the care of patients with NCCP, knowledge of the differential diagnosis, psychiatric co-morbidities, and therapeutic techniques for NCCP would be of great use to both consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists and other mental health providers. METHODS We reviewed prior published work on (1) the appropriate medical workup of the acute presentation of chest pain, (2) the relevant medical and psychiatric differential diagnosis for chest pain determined to be non-cardiac in origin, (3) the management of related conditions in psychosomatic medicine, and (4) management strategies for patients with NCCP. RESULTS We identified key differential diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for psychosomatic medicine providers in 3 different clinical contexts: acute care in the emergency department, inpatient C-L psychiatry, and outpatient C-L psychiatry. We also identified several gaps in the literature surrounding the short-term and long-term management of NCCP in patients with psychiatric etiologies or co-morbid psychiatric conditions. CONCLUSIONS Though some approaches to the care of patients with NCCP have been developed, more work is needed to determine the most effective management techniques for this unique and high-morbidity population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsti A Campbell
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Elizabeth N Madva
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Ana C Villegas
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Eleanor E Beale
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Scott R Beach
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jason H Wasfy
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Ariana M Albanese
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jeff C Huffman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
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37
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Mirus M, Heller AR. [Diagnostic investigation in emergency medicine: Why case history is crucial]. Anaesthesist 2017; 66:256-264. [PMID: 28194478 DOI: 10.1007/s00101-017-0280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We present the preclinical case of a patient reporting chest pain. Pain impeded physical examination. Reviewing the patient's detailed medical history after analgesia revealed a connection between the reported pain and vomiting. This led to a suspicion of organ perforation. Thus, the patient was admitted to a surgical emergency room (ER) and Boerhaave's Syndrome was diagnosed. After deterioration in the ER, cardiopulmonal reanimation (CPR), and successful surgical treatment, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) seven hours after first contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mirus
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland.
| | - A R Heller
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland
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38
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 10-50% of chest pains are caused by musculoskeletal disorders. The association is twice as frequent in primary care as in emergency admissions. AIM This article provides an overview of the most important musculoskeletal causes of chest pain and on the diagnostics and therapy. METHODS A selective search and analysis of the literature related to the topic of musculoskeletal causes of chest pain were carried out. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Non-inflammatory diseases, such as costochondritis and fibromyalgia are frequent causes of chest pain. Inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are much less common but are more severe conditions and therefore have to be diagnosed and treated. The diagnostics and treatment often necessitate interdisciplinary approaches. Chest pain caused by musculoskeletal diseases always represents a diagnosis by exclusion of other severe diseases of the heart, lungs and stomach. Physiotherapeutic and physical treatment measures are particularly important, including manual therapy, transcutaneous electrical stimulation and stabilization exercises, especially for functional myofascial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sturm
- Klinik für Rehabilitationsmedizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - T Witte
- Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
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