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Ferentinos P, Douki S, Yotsidi V, Kourkouni E, Dragoumi D, Smyrnis N, Douzenis A. Family in Crisis: Do Halfway Houses Perform Better Than Families with Expressed Emotion toward Patients with Schizophrenia? A Direct Adjusted Comparison. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:375. [PMID: 38338260 PMCID: PMC10855104 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12030375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Expressed emotion (EE) toward patients with schizophrenia is typically reported to be lower in psychiatric halfway houses than in families. This is the first study directly comparing EE between these settings and investigating the pathways mediating EE differences. We included 40 inpatients in halfway houses and 40 outpatients living with their families and recorded 22 psychiatric nurses' and 56 parents' EE, respectively, through Five Minutes Speech Samples. Each inpatient was rated by 2-5 nurses and each outpatient by 1-2 parents. As EE ratings had a multilevel structure, generalized linear mixed models were fitted, adjusting for patient-related confounders and caregiver demographics. Mediatory effects were investigated in multilevel structural equation models. Outpatients were younger, less chronic, and better educated, with higher negative symptoms and perceived criticism than inpatients. Nurses were younger and better educated than parents. Before adjustment, EE rates were equally high across settings. After adjusting for patient-related confounders, emotional overinvolvement was significantly higher in parents. However, after also adjusting for caregiver demographics, only criticism was significantly higher in nurses. Patients' age, negative symptoms, and perceived criticism and caregivers' age and sex significantly mediated EE group differences. Our findings highlight pathways underlying EE differences between halfway houses and families and underscore the importance of staff and family psychoeducation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Ferentinos
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” University General Hospital, 12 462 Athens, Greece; (N.S.); (A.D.)
| | - Stamatina Douki
- Department of Psychiatry, “Evangelismos” General Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (S.D.); (D.D.)
| | - Vasiliki Yotsidi
- Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, 176 71 Athens, Greece;
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, 15 451 Athens, Greece;
| | - Dimitra Dragoumi
- Department of Psychiatry, “Evangelismos” General Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece; (S.D.); (D.D.)
| | - Nikolaos Smyrnis
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” University General Hospital, 12 462 Athens, Greece; (N.S.); (A.D.)
| | - Athanasios Douzenis
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” University General Hospital, 12 462 Athens, Greece; (N.S.); (A.D.)
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Ferentinos P, Douki S, Kourkouni E, Dragoumi D, Smyrnis N, Douzenis A. Differential correlates of criticism versus emotional overinvolvement towards patients with schizophrenia living in halfway houses or with their families. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024:10.1007/s00127-023-02609-7. [PMID: 38296844 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02609-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study systematically searched for differential correlates of criticism vs. emotional overinvolvement (EOI) towards patients with schizophrenia in families and halfway houses, which have only incidentally been reported in previous research. Identified patterns were compared across settings. METHODS We included 40 inpatients with schizophrenia living in halfway houses and 40 outpatients living with their families and recorded the expressed emotion (EE) of 22 psychiatric nurses or 56 parents, respectively, through Five Minutes Speech Samples. Each nurse rated 1-12 inpatients and each inpatient was rated by 2-5 nurses. Each outpatient was rated by one or both parents. As EE ratings had a multilevel structure, weighted Spearman correlations of criticism and EOI with various patient- and caregiver-related characteristics were calculated and compared with Meng's z-test. RESULTS Criticism was weakly negatively correlated with EOI in nurses but negligibly in parents. Distinct patterns of significant differential correlates arose across settings. Outpatients' aggressive behavior and parents' related burden were mainly associated with higher criticism. Inpatients' symptoms (agitation/aggression, negative and other psychotic symptoms) and nurses' burnout (Depersonalization) were mainly associated with lower EOI. Inpatients' perceived criticism and outpatients' previous suicide attempts were equally associated with higher criticism and lower EOI (mirror correlations). Finally, various inpatient attributes (older age, chronicity, unemployment and smoking) triggered higher EOI only. Inpatients' age, psychopathology (esp. agitation/aggression and negative symptoms) and perceived criticism survived adjustment for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest setting-specific pathogenetic pathways of criticism and EOI and might help customize psychoeducational interventions to staff and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Ferentinos
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, 124 62, Athens, Greece.
| | - Stamatina Douki
- Department of Psychiatry, "Evangelismos" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Dragoumi
- Department of Psychiatry, "Evangelismos" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Smyrnis
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, 124 62, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanassios Douzenis
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University General Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, 124 62, Athens, Greece
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Barmpakou A, Mavrouli M, Pana A, Kourkouni E, Panagiotou I, Spanakis N, Michos A. Seroprevalence of Measles in Pairs of Mothers and Newborns in Southern Greece. Viral Immunol 2023; 36:642-648. [PMID: 38127419 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2023.0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that are passively transferred to newborns through the placenta confer protection if they are exposed to measles virus. A measles outbreak occurred in several European countries including Greece, between 2016 and 2018. A prospective study was conducted in the General Hospital of Lakonia, regarding the measles seropositivity status of mother and newborn pairs. IgG antibody titer for measles was measured in serum samples acquired from pairs of mothers and newborns. The samples were analyzed through quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and antimeasles IgG >200 IU/mL was considered to be protective. Demographic data for mothers and neonates and data regarding immunization status of mothers were analyzed. Study population included 206 mothers and their newborns. In total, 12.6% of mothers (n = 26) and 10.7% of newborns (n = 22) did not have protective serology. A statistically significant positive linear association between maternal and neonatal antibodies was found (rho = 0.924) (p = 0.001). Neonates whose mothers were seropositive had higher antibodies [geometric mean concentration (GMC): 804.8 (728.3-889.2)] than neonates whose mothers were seronegative/borderline [GMC: 97.7 (64.2-148.8)] (p = 0.001). In the study area, a significant rate of mothers and newborns was found to have nonprotective measles serology that exceeds the limit required for herd immunity. Vaccination coverage in women of reproductive age should be increased to reduce potential for future measles epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afroditi Barmpakou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Department of Pediatrics, General Hospital of Lakonia, Sparti, Greece
| | - Maria Mavrouli
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Pana
- Department of Pediatrics, General Hospital of Lakonia, Sparti, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos Spanakis
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Michos
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Papachristidou S, Lapea V, Charisi M, Kourkouni E, Kousi D, Xirogianni A, Dedousi O, Papaconstadopoulos I, Eleftheriou E, Krepis P, Pasparaki S, Pantalos G, Doudoulakakis A, Bozavoutoglou E, Daskalaki M, Kostaridou-Nikolopoulou S, Tzanakaki G, Spoulou V, Tsolia M. A multicenter study on the epidemiology of complicated parapneumonic effusion in the era of currently available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Vaccine 2023; 41:6727-6733. [PMID: 37805358 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parapneumonic effusion (PPE) is a common complication of pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. A reduction in pneumonia hospitalizations has been observed since the introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). Despite this apparent benefit, an increase in the incidence of PPE was recorded in some countries following PCV7 implementation. As the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was expected to provide a wider protection against PPE, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of PCV13 introduction on the epidemiology of complicated parapneumonic effusion (c-PPE) among children in the Athens greater area. METHODS All cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with PPE requiring chest tube insertion (complicated PPE, c-PPE) hospitalized in the 3 public Children's hospitals in Athens between 01/01/2004 and 31/12/2019 were included in the study. RESULTS A total of 426 cases of c-PPE associated with pneumonia were recorded of which 198 were admitted during 2004-2010 (period A, prePCV13/PCV -7 introduction period) and 228 during 2011-2018 (period B, post - PCV13 period). A definite bacterial etiology was established in 44.4 % of all cases and of those 25.4 % were caused by S. pneumoniae. An increasing trend in c-PPE incidence was observed during period A; although, a significant decrease on c-PPE annual rates was observed during the period B (p = 0.011), a remarkable increase in serotype 3 cases was recorded. CONCLUSION A decreasing time trend in c-PPE cases among children was shown after the introduction of PCV13 in our area. However, serotype 3 is nowadays a common cause of PPE. Hence, continuous surveillance is imperative in order to follow c-PPE epidemiology over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smaragda Papachristidou
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), P.& A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Vasiliki Lapea
- First Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Martha Charisi
- Department of Paediatrics, Penteli Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Kousi
- Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Xirogianni
- National Meningitis Reference Laboratory, Dept of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Dedousi
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), P.& A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Irene Papaconstadopoulos
- First Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Eleftheriou
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), P.& A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Krepis
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), P.& A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Pasparaki
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), P.& A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Pantalos
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Penteli's Children Hospital, Penteli, Greece
| | | | | | - Maria Daskalaki
- Microbiology Laboratory, Penteli Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgina Tzanakaki
- National Meningitis Reference Laboratory, Dept of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Vana Spoulou
- First Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Tsolia
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), P.& A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Kopsidas I, Dasoula FE, Kourkouni E, Krepi A, Mystakelis HΑ, Spyridis N, Vartzelis G. Management of children with febrile seizures: a Greek nationwide survey. Eur J Pediatr 2023:10.1007/s00431-023-05004-1. [PMID: 37160780 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge, principles, and practices concerning the management of children with febrile seizures among pediatricians in Greece. A cross-sectional study was performed across Greece. Pediatricians completed an anonymous and voluntary 11-item questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to the management of febrile seizures; the survey also collected demographic data. It was first administered in paper form in October 2017. This was followed by an online survey performed between June and August of 2018 and publicized by medical boards across Greece. Descriptive statistics and comparisons between groups were conducted with the significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. We recorded 457 responses. Pediatricians admitted to modifying their advice to the parents of children with febrile seizures by suggesting more "aggressive" fever management at low temperatures or systematically (63%), referral to a specialist after any episode of febrile seizures (63%), or hospitalization in a subsequent episode (67%), even though 72% admitted these practices were of no efficacy. Almost one in three pediatricians (28%) believed aggressive management of fever could delay the onset of febrile seizures; increasing age was associated with this perception. A minority (28%) would make parents aware of febrile seizures before a first episode regardless of family history; 38% would do so in the event of family history. CONCLUSIONS Several pediatricians in Greece use outdated and ineffective practices for the management of febrile seizures, despite the availability of updated evidence-based guidelines. Further training of practitioners is needed to bridge this gap. WHAT IS KNOWN •Aggressive management of fever at low temperatures with antipyretics, referral to a neurologist, and hospitalization are not supported by evidence or recent guidelines on childhood febrile seizures. •Febrile seizures are especially disturbing to uninformed parents, who may be inclined to pursue aggressive but ineffective treatments as a result. WHAT IS NEW •Pediatricians in Greece use non-evidence-based practices for the management of febrile seizures, even when they are aware that these practices are not effective. •Older age increases the likelihood that a pediatrician will pursue guideline non-compliant practices in Greece. At the same time, physicians with over 20 years of experience are more likely to inform parents in advance about febrile seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kopsidas
- Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Athens, Greece.
| | - Foteini Eleni Dasoula
- Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Athens, Greece
| | - Adamantia Krepi
- Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Harry Α Mystakelis
- Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Spyridis
- Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Vartzelis
- Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Kopsidas I, Kokkinidou L, Petsiou DP, Kourkouni E, Triantafyllou C, Tsopela GC, Zaoutis T. Dispensing of antibiotics without prescription in the metropolitan area of Athens, Greece, in 2021-Can new legislation change old habits? Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol 2023; 3:e40. [PMID: 36960086 PMCID: PMC10028989 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2022.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Objective To assess the effect of new legislation on the dispensing of antimicrobials without prescription from pharmacies in Greece. Design In-person survey. Setting The study included 110 pharmacies in the greater Athens Metropolitan area. Methods Volunteer collaborators visited 110 pharmacies in the greater Athens Metropolitan area in December 2021 and January 2022. They asked for either ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin-clavulanate acid (6:5 ratio) without providing a prescription, without simulating symptoms, and without offering justification or insisting. Fluoroquinolones have additional dispensing restrictions in Greece. Results were compared to a 2008 study. In 2020, legislation allowed the dispensing of antibiotics from pharmacies only with an electronic prescription, overriding the 1973 forbidding the dispensing of all medications without prescriptions. Results All pharmacists refused to dispense ciprofloxacin without a prescription. Only 1 pharmacy dispensed amoxicillin-clavulanate without a prescription. Compared to the 2008 study, dispensing of amoxicillin-clavulanate without a prescription dropped from 100% in 2008 to 1% in 2021 and dispensing ciprofloxacin without a prescription dropped from 53% in 2008 to 0% in 2021. Conclusions A new and enforced law that requires electronic prescribing led to a dramatic reduction of antibiotic dispensing without prescription compared to 12 years ago. Similar initiatives could help solve the problem of antibiotic consumption and resistance in Greece and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kopsidas
- Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodisitrian University, Athens, Greece
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Athens, Greece
- Author for correspondence: Ioannis Kopsidas, Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), P.& A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, Thivon and Levadias, Athens 115 27, Greece. E-mail:
| | - Lydia Kokkinidou
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Theoklis Zaoutis
- Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodisitrian University, Athens, Greece
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, Athens, Greece
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Dimopoulou D, Liaska M, Eleftheriou I, Kourkouni E, Tsolia M, Spyridis N. Favorable Outcome in Infants Hospitalized With COVID-19: Single Center Experience from Athens, Greece. Indian Pediatr 2022. [PMID: 35751373 PMCID: PMC9518936 DOI: 10.1007/s13312-022-2604-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of 92 infants (aged <12 months) with community-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between March, 2020 and June, 2021 at a single center in Athens. Infants with COVID-19 developed mild disease (89, 96.7%), and were infected mostly by their household contacts (74, 80.4%). Disease complications were rare, indicating that hospitalization is the result of low threshold for admission rather than disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Dimopoulou
- Second Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Marianthi Liaska
- Second Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Irini Eleftheriou
- Second Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Non-Profit Civil Partnership, 5 Chatzigianni Mexi str.,11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Tsolia
- Second Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Spyridis
- Second Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Mantadakis E, Kopsidas I, Coffin S, Dimitriou G, Gkentzi D, Hatzipantelis E, Kaisari A, Kattamis A, Kourkouni E, Papachristidou S, Papakonstantinou E, Polychronopoulou S, Roilides E, Spyridis N, Tsiodras S, Tsolia MN, Tsopela GC, Zaoutis T, Tragiannidis A. A national study of antibiotic use in Greek pediatric hematology oncology and bone marrow transplant units. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol 2022; 2:e71. [PMID: 36483391 PMCID: PMC9726537 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2022.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We surveyed antimicrobials used in Greek pediatric hematology-oncology (PHO) and bone marrow transplant (BMT) units before and after an intervention involving education regarding the 2017 clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the management of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer and hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients. DESIGN Antibiotic prescribing practices were prospectively recorded between June 2016 and November 2017. INTERVENTION In December 2017, baseline data feedback was provided, and CPG education was provided. Prescribing practices were followed for one more year. For antibiotic stewardship, days of therapy, and length of therapy were calculated. SETTING Five of the 6 PHO units in Greece and the single pediatric BMT unit participated. PARTICIPANTS Admitted children in each unit who received the first 15 new antibiotic courses each month. RESULTS Administration of ≥4 antibiotics simultaneously and administration of antibiotics with overlapping activity for ≥2 days were significantly more common in PHO units in general hospitals compared to children's hospitals. Use of at least 1 antifungal was recorded in ∼47% of the patients before and after the intervention. De-escalation and/or discontinuation of antibiotics on day 6 of initial treatment increased significantly from 43% to 53.5% (P = .032). Although the number of patients requiring intensive care support for sepsis did not change, a significant drop was noted in all-cause mortality (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS We recorded the antibiotic prescribing practices in Greek PHO and BMT units, we achieved improved prescribing with a simple intervention, and we identified areas in need of improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elpis Mantadakis
- Democritus University of Thrace Faculty of Medicine, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kopsidas
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Susan Coffin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Gabriel Dimitriou
- Patras Medical School, University General Hospital of Patras, Patra, Greece
| | - Despoina Gkentzi
- Patras Medical School, University General Hospital of Patras, Patra, Greece
| | - Emmanouel Hatzipantelis
- Children & Adolescent Hematology–Oncology Unit, Second Pediatric Department, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Kaisari
- Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Sophia Polychronopoulou
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology (T.A.O.), Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel Roilides
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hipppokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikos Spyridis
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria N. Tsolia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | | | - Theoklis Zaoutis
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tragiannidis
- Children & Adolescent Hematology–Oncology Unit, Second Pediatric Department, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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9
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Kopsidas I, Molocha NM, Kourkouni E, Coffin S, Gkentzi D, Chorianopoulou E, Dimitriou G, Kapetanaki A, Karavana G, Lithoxopoulou M, Polychronaki M, Roilides E, Triantafyllidou P, Triantafyllou C, Tsopela GC, Tsouvala E, Tsolia MN, Zaoutis T, Spyridis N. Potential benefit from the implementation of the Kaiser Permanente neonatal early-onset sepsis calculator on clinical management of neonates with presumed sepsis. Eur J Pediatr 2022; 181:1001-1008. [PMID: 34664107 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-021-04282-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
To assess the potential benefit from the implementation of the Kaiser Permanente early-onset sepsis calculator (EOS-C), in terms of antibiotic use and requested laboratory tests, in a network of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Greece, and to determine the incidence of early-onset sepsis (EOS) in Greek NICUs, a prospective surveillance study was conducted in 7 NICUs between April 2018 and June 2019. Data were collected for all newborns ≥ 34 weeks' gestation receiving empiric antibiotic therapy within the first 3 days of life. The number of live births and positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid cultures within the first 3 days of life were used for calculation of EOS incidence. Evaluation of possible impact of implementing the calculator was done by comparing the clinicians' recorded management to the calculator's suggested course of action. The unit-specific incidence of culture-proven EOS ranged between 0 and 2.99/1000 live births. The weighted incidence rate for all 7 units was 1.8/1000 live births. Management of EOS guided by the calculator could lead to a reduction of empiric antibiotic initiation up to 100% for the group of "well-appearing" neonates and 86% for "equivocal," lowering exposure to antibiotics by 4.2 and 3.8 days per neonate, respectively. Laboratory tests for blood cultures drawn could be reduced by up to 100% and 68%, respectively. Sensitivity of the EOS-C in identifying neonates with positive blood cultures was high.Conclusion: Management strategies based on the Kaiser Permanente neonatal sepsis calculator may significantly reduce antibiotic exposure, invasive diagnostic procedures, and hospitalizations in late preterm and term neonates. What is Known: • Neonates are frequently exposed to antibiotics for presumed EOS. • The Kaiser Permanente sepsis calculator can reduce antibiotic exposure in neonates.. What is New: • EOS calculator can be an effective antibiotic stewardship tool in a high prescribing country and can reduce invasive diagnostic procedures and mother-baby separation. • Incidence of EOS in Greece is higher compared to other European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kopsidas
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece.,Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Susan Coffin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Despoina Gkentzi
- Department of Pediatrics, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Gabriel Dimitriou
- Department of Pediatrics, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kapetanaki
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Elenas Venizelou Maternity Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Karavana
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital of Nikaia and Piraeus "Aghios Panteleimon", Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Lithoxopoulou
- Second Department of Neonatology, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Emmanuel Roilides
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Emmanouela Tsouvala
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, General University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupoli, Greece
| | - Maria N Tsolia
- Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Theoklis Zaoutis
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Nikos Spyridis
- Second Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
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10
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Ktena D, Kourkouni E, Kontopidou F, Gkolfinopoulou K, Papadima K, Georgakopoulou T, Magaziotou I, Andreopoulou A, Tzanakaki G, Zaoutis T, Papaevangelou V. Population-based study of influenza and invasive meningococcal disease among Greek children during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Paediatr Open 2022; 6:10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001391. [PMID: 36053653 PMCID: PMC8905915 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aiming to the containment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, governments worldwide have implemented a series of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Many of them and especially school closures have impacted the circulation of multiple airborne pathogens among children and adolescents. This study investigates the incidence of influenza and invasive meningococcal disease among children aged 0-14 years in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Data regarding the number of influenza-like illness cases, influenza-related paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions and invasive meningococcal disease cases among children 0-14 years old were obtained from the National Public Health Organization. The incidence of the two diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020/2021) was compared with that of the six preceding seasons (2014-2019). RESULTS A notable decrease was observed in both influenza and invasive meningococcal disease cases during the period 2020/2021 compared with the years 2014-2019. The mean annual rate of influenza-like illness cases and influenza-related PICU admissions in children 0-14 years old has reduced by 66.9% and 100%, respectively, while the mean annual invasive meningococcal disease rate has declined by 70%. Both weekly influenza-like illness and monthly invasive meningococcal disease rates were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS The activity of influenza and invasive meningococcal disease in the children and adolescents of Greece has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Reduced transmission is likely related to the public health measures that were implemented to control the pandemic. The value of these measures may have relevance to the future management of influenza or invasive meningococcal disease epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danai Ktena
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Attica, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Kontopidou
- Department of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Kassiani Gkolfinopoulou
- Department of Surveillance Systems, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Papadima
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Theano Georgakopoulou
- Department for Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Congenital Diseases, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Magaziotou
- Department for Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Congenital Diseases, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Andreopoulou
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgina Tzanakaki
- National Meningitis Reference Laboratory, Department of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Theoklis Zaoutis
- Second Department of Pediatrics, P&A Kyriakou Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Attica, Greece.,National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Papaevangelou
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Attica, Greece
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11
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Kopsidas I, Chorianopoulou E, Kourkouni E, Triantafyllou C, Molocha NM, Koniordou M, Maistreli S, Tsopela CG, Maroudi-Manta S, Filippou D, Zaoutis T, Kourlaba G. COVID-19 pandemic impact on seasonal flu vaccination: A cross-sectional study. Pneumon 2021. [DOI: 10.18332/pne/136173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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12
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Karampatsou SI, Genitsaridi SM, Michos A, Kourkouni E, Kourlaba G, Kassari P, Manios Y, Charmandari E. The Effect of a Life-Style Intervention Program of Diet and Exercise on Irisin and FGF-21 Concentrations in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity. Nutrients 2021; 13:1274. [PMID: 33924457 PMCID: PMC8070027 DOI: 10.3390/nu13041274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence represent major public health problems of our century, and account for increased morbidity and mortality in adult life. Irisin and Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF-21) have been proposed as prognostic and/or diagnostic biomarkers in subjects with obesity and metabolic syndrome, because they increase earlier than other traditional biomarkers. We determined the concentrations of Irisin and FGF-21 in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity before and after one year of a life-style intervention program of diet and physical exercise and explored the impact of body mass index (BMI) reduction on the concentrations of Irisin, FGF-21 and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Three hundred and ten (n = 310) children and adolescents (mean age ± SD: 10.5 ± 2.9 years) were studied prospectively. Following one year of the life-style intervention program, there was a significant decrease in BMI (p = 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.024), waist-to-height ratio (p = 0.024), and Irisin concentrations (p = 0.001), and an improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors. There was no alteration in FGF-21 concentrations. These findings indicate that Irisin concentrations decreased significantly as a result of BMI reduction in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Further studies are required to investigate the potential role of Irisin as a biomarker for monitoring the response to lifestyle interventions and for predicting the development of cardiometabolic risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia I. Karampatsou
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.I.K.); (S.M.G.); (P.K.)
| | - Sofia M. Genitsaridi
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.I.K.); (S.M.G.); (P.K.)
| | - Athanasios Michos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), 11528 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (G.K.)
| | - Georgia Kourlaba
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), 11528 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (G.K.)
| | - Penio Kassari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.I.K.); (S.M.G.); (P.K.)
| | - Yannis Manios
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Kallithea, 17671 Athens, Greece;
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.I.K.); (S.M.G.); (P.K.)
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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13
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Kourlaba G, Kourkouni E, Maistreli S, Tsopela CG, Molocha NM, Triantafyllou C, Koniordou M, Kopsidas I, Chorianopoulou E, Maroudi-Manta S, Filippou D, Zaoutis TE. Willingness of Greek general population to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Glob Health Res Policy 2021; 6:3. [PMID: 33509291 PMCID: PMC7843240 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-021-00188-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiological data indicate that a large part of population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Hence, it is of high importance for public health officials to know whether people are going to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to examine the willingness of adult residents in Greece to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Methods A cross-sectional was survey conducted among the adult general population of Greece between April 28, 2020 to May 03, 2020 (last week of lockdown), using a mixed methodology for data collection: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) and Computer Assisted web Interviewing (CAWI). Using a sample size calculator, the target sample size was found to be around 1000 respondents. To ensure a nationally representative sample of the urban/rural population according to the Greek census 2011, a proportionate stratified by region systematic sampling procedure was used to recruit particpants. Data collection was guided through a structured questionnaire. Regarding willingness to COVID-19 vaccination, participants were asked to answer the following question: “If there was a vaccine available for the novel coronavirus, would you do it?” Results Of 1004 respondents only 57.7% stated that they are going to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Respondents aged > 65 years old, those who either themselves or a member of their household belonged to a vulnerable group, those believing that the COVID-19 virus was not developed in laboratories by humans, those believing that coronavirus is far more contagious and lethal compared to the H1N1 virus, and those believing that next waves are coming were statistically significantly more likely to be willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Higher knowledge score regarding symptoms, transmission routes and prevention and control measures against COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher willingness of respondents to get vaccinated. Conclusion A significant proportion of individuals in the general population are unwilling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, stressing the need for public health officials to take immediate awareness-raising measures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41256-021-00188-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kourlaba
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece. .,ECONCARE LP, Athens, Greece.
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Stefania Maistreli
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Markela Koniordou
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kopsidas
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Dimitrios Filippou
- Department of Anatomy and Surgical Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Theoklis E Zaoutis
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece.,Division of Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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14
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Theodoropoulos GE, Liapi A, Spyropoulos BG, Kourkouni E, Frountzas M, Zografos G. Temporal Changes of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Score after Sphincter Preservation: A Prospective Cohort Study on Repetitive Assessment of Rectal Cancer Patients. J INVEST SURG 2021; 35:354-362. [PMID: 33491509 DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2020.1864684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: There is a relative shortage of studies directly addressing the postoperative rectal cancer patients' evacuatory dysfunction, as estimated by the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score at repeated assessment time-points. The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the incidence of LARS at predefined time intervals during the first 3 years after sphincter preserving rectal cancer surgery and to enlighten the effect of identified risk factors.Materials and methods: Seventy-eight patients, who remained alive and recurrence-free 2 years after (ultra-) low anterior resection were prospectively assessed at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months postoperatively, using the LARS score as bowel dysfunction outcome measure. All patients have completed the 2-year follow-up functional assessment, while 56 and 37 of them have been evaluated up to the 30th and the 36th postoperative month, respectively.Results: The proportion of patients with "major and minor" LARS significantly decreased during the first 3 evaluations (up to 18 months) (74% vs 62% vs 35%, p = 0.0001). The tumor distance from the anal verge and the neoadjuvant radiotherapy were identified as risk factors for high LARS score at 6 months (p < 0.03). The tumor distance remained as risk factor throughout the entire follow-up. All patients with high tumors were alleviated from symptoms reflecting "major" or "minor" LARS at 18 months. Most patients (90%) after radiotherapy showed a high LARS score in the first semester, but improved afterwards.Conclusion: Overall, the LARS score improves in the majority of patients after 18 months, with low tumor height and radiation adversely affecting them. Our results may be useful in more accurately define the postoperative "functional course" of rectal cancer patients and in aiding their consultation on expected functional outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Theodoropoulos
- Colorectal Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of National, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Artemis Liapi
- Colorectal Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of National, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Basileios G Spyropoulos
- Colorectal Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of National, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Maximos Frountzas
- Colorectal Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of National, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Zografos
- Colorectal Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of National, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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15
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Triantafyllou C, Chorianopoulou E, Kourkouni E, Zaoutis TE, Kourlaba G. Prevalence, incidence, length of stay and cost of healthcare-acquired pressure ulcers in pediatric populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2020; 115:103843. [PMID: 33373805 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pressure ulcers are a major problem for national healthcare systems since they frequently occur in hospitalized patients, negatively affecting patients' quality of life and extending duration of hospitalization. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the available evidence regarding the incidence, prevalence, attributable length of stay and cost of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in pediatric populations. DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic search (March 15, 2020) was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest databases. Cross-sectional and cohort studies of neonates and children aged <21 years old were eligible for inclusion when full text was available in English and data for at least one of the following criteria was provided: incidence, prevalence, attributable length of stay or healthcare cost due to hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. Study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Random effects models were used to synthesize data. Heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated. RESULTS From the 1055 studies appeared in literature search, 21 studies were included in the systematic review and 19 were included in the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence ranged from 0.47% to 31.2% and cumulative incidence ranged from 3.7% to 27%. The pooled prevalence was estimated at 7.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3%-10.4%) and the pooled cumulative incidence at 14.9% (95% CI: 7.7%-23.9%). The pooled prevalence among neonates was 27.0% (95% CI: 22.1%-33.1%) among children aged less than 1 year old was 19.2% (95% CI: 9.4%-31.3%) and among children older than 1 year was 12.3% (95% CI: 2.3%-27.9%). The cumulative incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in neonates was 9.8% (95% CI: 2.9%-19.8%) and in children aged <1 year old was 11.3% (95% CI: 4.4%-20.7%), while no data was available to estimate this figure for children older than 1 year. The attributable length of stay ranged from 0.9 to 14.1 days and the attributable cost ranged from $894.69 to $98,730.24 (United States dollars; value of a dollar in 2020) per patient with hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS The results of this meta-analysis indicate that hospital-acquired pressure ulcers occur frequently in pediatric populations with a great variation across different age groups. Moreover, although limited data are available, it seems that hospital-acquired pressure ulcers have significant economic implications for the healthcare systems since they prolong patients' hospitalization stay; these findings further highlight the need for implementation of patient-based prevention strategies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER Not registered Tweetable abstract: Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers occur frequently in pediatric populations, prolonging their hospitalization and increasing the healthcare cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Triantafyllou
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Non-Profit Civil Partnership, 5 Chatzigianni Mexi str., 11528 Athens, Greece.
| | - Evangelia Chorianopoulou
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Non-Profit Civil Partnership, 5 Chatzigianni Mexi str., 11528 Athens, Greece.
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Non-Profit Civil Partnership, 5 Chatzigianni Mexi str., 11528 Athens, Greece.
| | - Theoklis E Zaoutis
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Non-Profit Civil Partnership, 5 Chatzigianni Mexi str., 11528 Athens, Greece; Division of Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., 19104 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
| | - Georgia Kourlaba
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Non-Profit Civil Partnership, 5 Chatzigianni Mexi str., 11528 Athens, Greece; ECONCARE, LP, 5 Chatzigianni Mexi str., 11528 Athens, Greece
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16
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Kopsidas I, Tsopela GC, Maroudi-Manta S, Kourkouni E, Charalampopoulos D, Sirogianni A, Collins ME, Lourida A, Kourlaba G, Zaoutis TE, Coffin SE. Increasing healthcare workers' uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital in Greece with a low-cost, tailor-made, multifaceted strategy. Vaccine 2020; 38:4609-4615. [PMID: 32430148 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers' (HCW) seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is critical to prevent nosocomial influenza. However, HCW vaccination rates remain unacceptably low in many European institutions. A two-year three-step initiative was implemented at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital with 750 beds in Athens, Greece with the aim of increasing SIV among HCW. METHODS Α cross-sectional anonymous survey of HCWs was conducted during the 2015-16 influenza season with the aim to evaluate attitudes, knowledge, and specific barriers and facilitators for SIV. Stratified analysis was used to identify factors associated with no prior history of influenza vaccination. Multifaceted interventions were implemented in the 2016-2017 season. These included 1) education around influenza disease and SIV, and 2) communication of availability and opportunity (time and place) of SIV. Interventions were designed to target HCWs with the lowest SIV rates in the previous three years. RESULTS We achieved a 67% response rate, with 363 respondents (106 doctors, 145 nurses, 101 other hospital staff; 11 did not provide their profession). Most (64%) had not been vaccinated in the previous three years; only 14% received the vaccine annually. Non-vaccination rates were significantly higher among nurses (76%) and cleaning and food-service workers (73%) compared to doctors (40%) (P < 0.001). Protection of self, family, patients and colleagues were the most common motivations. Concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, the belief that one does not belong to a high-risk group were the most common barriers. The interventions led to an increase in SIV uptake by the HCWs in the hospital, from 19% to 31%. CONCLUSIONS In a country with very low reported rates of vaccination among HCWs, a simple, low-cost, tailor-made intervention strategy can lead to an increase in SIV uptake. Stratifying data according to vaccination history may reveal a diversity of targets for improvement that might otherwise be missed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kopsidas
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research(CLEO), Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research(CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Madeline E Collins
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research(CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Lourida
- Infection Control Committee, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Kourlaba
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research(CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Theoklis E Zaoutis
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research(CLEO), Athens, Greece; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania; Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan E Coffin
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania; Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Kakourou G, Kahraman S, Ekmekci GC, Tac HA, Kourlaba G, Kourkouni E, Sanz AC, Martin J, Malmgren H, Giménez C, Gold V, Carvalho F, Billi C, Chow JFC, Vendrell X, Kokkali G, Liss J, Steffann J, Traeger-Synodinos J. The clinical utility of PGD with HLA matching: a collaborative multi-centre ESHRE study. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:520-530. [PMID: 29432583 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Has PGD-HLA been successful relative to diagnostic and clinical efficacy? SUMMARY ANSWER The diagnostic efficacy of PGD-HLA protocols was found lower in this study in comparison to published PGD-HLA protocols and to that reported for general PGD by ESHRE (78.5 vs 94.1% and vs 92.6%, respectively), while the clinical efficacy has proven very difficult to assess due to inadequate follow-up of both the ART/PGD and HSCT procedure outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The first clinical cases for PGD-HLA were reported in 2001. It is now a well-established procedure, with an increasing number of cycles performed every year. However, PGD-HLA is still offered by relatively few PGD centres, the currently available data is fragmented and most reports on PGD-HLA applications are limited in number and scope. Published systematic details on methodology, diagnostic results, overall ART success and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) outcomes are limited, precluding an evaluation of the true clinical utility of PGD-HLA cycles. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This retrospective multi-centre cohort study aimed to investigate the diagnostic and clinical efficacy of the PGD-HLA procedure and the aspects of PGD-HLA cycles influencing positive outcomes: birth of genetically suitable donor-baby (or babies) and HSCT. In April 2014, 32 PGD centres (Consortium members and non-members) with published/known PGD-HLA activity were invited to participate. Between February and September 2015, 14 centres submitted their data, through a custom-designed secure database, with unique login access for each centre. Data parameters covered all aspects of PGD-HLA cycles (ART, embryology and genetic diagnosis), donor-babies born and HSCT. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS From 716 cycles submitted by 14 centres (performed between August 2001 and September 2015), the quality evaluation excluded 12 cycles, leaving 704, from 364 couples. The online database, based on REDCap, a free, secure, web-based data-capture application, was customized by Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens. Continuous variables are presented using mean, standard deviation, median and interquartile range, and categorical variables are presented as absolute and relative frequencies. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The data included 704 HLA-PGD cycles. Mean maternal age was 33.5 years. Most couples (81.3%) requested HLA-typing with concurrent exclusion of a single monogenic disease (58.6% for beta-thalassaemia). In 92.5% couples, both partners were fertile, with an average 1.93 HLA-PGD cycles/couple. Overall, 9751 oocytes were retrieved (13.9/cycle) and 5532 embryos were analysed (7.9/cycle). Most cycles involved fresh oocytes (94.9%) and Day 3 embryo biopsy (85.3%). In 97.5% of cycles, the genotyping method involved PCR only. Of 4343 embryos diagnosed (78.5% of analysed embryos), 677 were genetically suitable (15.4% of those analysed for HLA alone, 11.6% of those analysed for HLA with exclusion of monogenic disease). Of the 364 couples, 56.6% achieved an embryo transfer (ET) and 598 embryos were transferred in 382 cycles, leading to 164 HCG-positive pregnancies (pregnancy rate/ET 41.3%, pregnancy rate/initiated cycle 23.3%) and 136 babies born (live birth rate/ET 34.3%, live birth rate/initiated cycle 19.3%) to 113 couples. Data analysis identified the following limitations to the overall success of the HLA-PGD procedure: the age of the mother undergoing the treatment cycle, the number of oocytes collected per cycle and genetic chance. HSCT was reported for 57 cases, of which 64.9% involved combined umbilical cord-blood and bone marrow transplantation from the HLA-identical sibling donor; 77.3% of transplants reported no complications. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The findings of the study may be limited as not all PGD centres with PGD-HLA experience participated. Reporting bias on completion of the online database may be another potential limitation. Furthermore, the study is based on retrospective data collection from centres with variable practices and strategies for ART, embryology and genetic diagnosis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first multi-centre study evaluating the clinical utility of PGD-HLA, indicating variations in practice and outcomes throughout 15 years and between centres. The study highlights parameters important for positive outcomes and provides important information for both scientists and couples interested in initiating a cycle. Above all, the study underlines the need for better collaboration between all specialists involved in the ART-PGD/HLA procedure, as well as the need for comprehensive and prospective long-term data collection, and encourages all specialists to aim to properly evaluate and follow-up all procedures, with the ultimate aim to promote best practice and encourage patient informed decision making. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study wishes to acknowledge ESHRE for funding the customization of the REDCap database. There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kakourou
- Department of Medical Genetics, Choremio Research Laboratory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Livadias, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - S Kahraman
- Istanbul Memorial Hospital, ART and Reproductive Genetics Unit, Piyale Pasa Bulvari, 34385 Okmeydani sisli-Instanbul, Turkey
| | - G C Ekmekci
- Istanbul Memorial Hospital, ART and Reproductive Genetics Unit, Piyale Pasa Bulvari, 34385 Okmeydani sisli-Instanbul, Turkey
| | - H A Tac
- Istanbul Memorial Hospital, ART and Reproductive Genetics Unit, Piyale Pasa Bulvari, 34385 Okmeydani sisli-Instanbul, Turkey
| | - G Kourlaba
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), 5 Chatzigianni Mexi 11528, Athens, Greece
| | - E Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), 5 Chatzigianni Mexi 11528, Athens, Greece
| | - A Cervero Sanz
- Igenomix, Parc Científic Universitat de Valéncia, Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino 9, 46980 Paterna (València), Spain
| | - J Martin
- Igenomix, Parc Científic Universitat de Valéncia, Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino 9, 46980 Paterna (València), Spain
| | - H Malmgren
- Stockholm PGD Center, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Karolinska vägen, 171 76 Solna, Sweden
| | - C Giménez
- Reprogenetics Spain, Carrer de Tuset, 23, 08006 Barcelona, Spain
| | - V Gold
- PGD Lab, Lis Fertility Institute, Lis Maternity and Women's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - F Carvalho
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, R. Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - C Billi
- Preimplantation Diagnosis Department, Alfalab Private Diagnostic Laboratory Medical S.A., Anastasiou Georgiou 11, 115 24 Athens, Greece
| | - J F C Chow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Tsan Yuk Hospital Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Laboratory, Tsan Yuk Hospital, 30 Hospital Road, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
| | - X Vendrell
- Reproductive Genetics Unit, Sistemas Genómicos Ltd, Ronda G.Marconi 6, 46980 Paterna (València), Spain
| | - G Kokkali
- Genesis Athens Clinic, Reproductive Medicine Unit, 14 Papanikoli Str, Chalandri 15232, Athens, Greece
| | - J Liss
- Invicta Fertility and Reproductive Center, 10 Rajska St., 80-850 Gdansk, Poland
| | - J Steffann
- Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, INSERM UMR1163, Laboratoire de Génétique, APHP Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades, 149 rue de Sévres, 75743 PARIS CEDEX 15, Paris, France
| | - J Traeger-Synodinos
- Department of Medical Genetics, Choremio Research Laboratory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Livadias, Athens 11527, Greece
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Liapi A, Mavrantonis C, Lazaridis P, Kourkouni E, Zevlas A, Zografos G, Theodoropoulos G. Validation and comparative assessment of low anterior resection syndrome questionnaires in Greek rectal cancer patients. Ann Gastroenterol 2019; 32:185-192. [PMID: 30837792 PMCID: PMC6394270 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2019.0350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Our study validated the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score questionnaire, the colorectal functional outcome (COREFO) questionnaire, and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center bowel function instrument (MSKCC-BFI) in Greek rectal cancer patients. Methods Internal consistency, repeatability, construct and discriminant validity were evaluated for LARS, COREFO, and MSKCC-BFI questionnaires. The convergent validity was assessed by correlations with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 domains. Results The internal consistency of the questionnaire's subscales was satisfactory (Cronbach's a>0.6). The repeatability test showed extremely high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.9). High positive correlation was detected between the 3 questionnaires' total scores and each of their questions (rho>0.5), indicating their valid construction. All questionnaires demonstrated a good convergent validity through correlations with comparable domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and CR29. Statistically significant associations were detected between LARS, COREFO, MSKCC-BFI scores and tumor distance and temporary stoma (P<0.001 and P=0.009, P<0.001 and P=0.005, P<0.001 and P=0.002 respectively). In addition, COREFO and MSKCC-BFI scores were significantly associated with radiation therapy. LARS score was significantly correlated to all COREFO and MSKCC-BFI subscales. Conclusions The Greek versions of the LARS score, COREFO and MSKCC-BFI questionnaires were proven to have good psychometric properties and can be used as specific and valid instruments for measuring LARS. Since the COREFO and MSKCC-BFI questionnaires, which are more extensive and possibly less applicable in routine clinical practice, showed no advantages in relation to the LARS score, the latter may be established as the simplest, fastest to complete and most targeted tool for assessing LARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemis Liapi
- 1 Surgical Department, "G. Gennimatas" General Hospital of Athens (Artemis Liapi, Andreas Zevlas), Athens, Greece
| | - Constantine Mavrantonis
- 6 Department of Surgery, "Hygeia" Hospital (Constantine Mavrantonis, Panagiotis Lazaridis), Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Lazaridis
- 6 Department of Surgery, "Hygeia" Hospital (Constantine Mavrantonis, Panagiotis Lazaridis), Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO) (Eleni Kourkouni), Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Zevlas
- 1 Surgical Department, "G. Gennimatas" General Hospital of Athens (Artemis Liapi, Andreas Zevlas), Athens, Greece
| | - George Zografos
- 1 Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Athens Medical School (George Zografos, George Theodoropoulos), Athens, Greece
| | - George Theodoropoulos
- 1 Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Athens Medical School (George Zografos, George Theodoropoulos), Athens, Greece
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Abrams S, Kourkouni E, Sabbe M, Beutels P, Hens N. Inferring rubella outbreak risk from seroprevalence data in Belgium. Vaccine 2016; 34:6187-6192. [PMID: 27840011 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.10.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Rubella is usually a mild disease for which infections often pass by unnoticed. In approximately 50% of the cases, there are no or only few clinical symptoms. However, rubella contracted during early pregnancy could lead to spontaneous abortion, to central nervous system defects, or to one of a range of other serious and debilitating conditions in a newborn such as the congenital rubella syndrome. Before the introduction of mass vaccination, rubella was a common childhood infection occurring all over the world. However, since the introduction of rubella antigen-containing vaccines, the incidence of rubella has declined dramatically in high-income countries. Recent large-scale mumps outbreaks, one of the components in the combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, occurring in countries throughout Europe with high vaccination coverage, provide evidence of pathogen-specific waning of vaccine-induced immunity and primary vaccine failure. In addition, recent measles outbreaks affecting populations with suboptimal vaccination coverages stress the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverages. In this paper, we focus on the assessment of rubella outbreak risk using a previously developed method to identify geographic regions of high outbreak potential. The methodology relies on 2006 rubella seroprevalence data and vaccination coverage data from Belgium and information on primary and secondary vaccine failure obtained from extensive literature reviews. We estimated the rubella outbreak risk in Belgium to be low, however maintaining high levels of immunisation and surveillance are of utmost importance to avoid future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Abrams
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, UHasselt (Hasselt University), Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Martine Sabbe
- Service of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute for Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Beutels
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Modeling Infectious Diseases and Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Niel Hens
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, UHasselt (Hasselt University), Diepenbeek, Belgium; Centre for Health Economics Research and Modeling Infectious Diseases and Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Kourlaba G, Gkrania-Klotsas E, Kourkouni E, Mavrogeorgos G, Zaoutis TE. Antibiotic prescribing and expenditures in outpatient adults in Greece, 2010 to 2013: evidence from real-world practice. Euro Surveill 2016; 21:30266. [DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.26.30266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We provide a representative analysis of antibiotic prescribing, identify factors associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing and assess the costs associated with antibiotic use in adult outpatients in Greece. Outpatient antibiotic prescriptions for patients older than 19 years between 2010 and 2013 in Greece were extracted from the IMS Health Xponent database. Prescribing rate and total cost for prescribed antibiotics were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors related to broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing. More than 20 million antibiotics were prescribed during the study period, an annual rate of 768 prescribed antibiotics per 1,000 adults. Overall, 33.5% of antibiotics were prescribed for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) for which antibiotics are often not indicated. Macrolides (29.9%), cephalosporins (26.9%) and fluoroquinolones (21.0%) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes. The majority (89.0%) of antibiotics were broad-spectrum. Antibiotic expenditures were approximately EUR 185 million during the study period. Factors associated with broad-spectrum prescribing included older patient age, specialty pulmonologists or otorhinolaryngologists, training in eastern Europe, diagnosis of ARTI, acute diagnosis, and first episode of disease. Broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing for ARTIs is common in adult Greek outpatients and frequently inappropriate. These data indicate the need for initiatives aiming to control antibiotic prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kourlaba
- Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas
- Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases and the Clinical School, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Mavrogeorgos
- Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
| | - Theoklis E Zaoutis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, UPENN School of Medicine, Philadelphia, United States
- Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, Greece
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Kourlaba G, Kourkouni E, Spyridis N, Gerber JS, Kopsidas J, Mougkou K, Lourida A, Zaoutis TE. Antibiotic prescribing and expenditures in outpatient paediatrics in Greece, 2010-13. J Antimicrob Chemother 2015; 70:2405-8. [PMID: 25881618 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkv091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to provide a nationally representative analysis of antibiotic prescribing in outpatient paediatrics and to assess overall and class-specific antibiotic costs in Greece. METHODS Data on antibiotic prescriptions for patients aged ≤19 years old between July 2010 and June 2013 in Greece were extracted from the IMS Health Xponent database. Antibiotics were grouped into narrow- and broad-spectrum agents. The number of prescribed antibiotics and census denominators were used to calculate prescribing rates. The total costs associated with prescribed antibiotics were calculated. RESULTS More than 7 million antibiotics were prescribed during the study period, with an annual rate of 1100 antibiotics/1000 persons. Prescribing rates were higher among children aged <10 years old. Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) accounted for 80% of prescribed antibiotics, with acute otitis media (22.3%), acute tonsillitis (19.5%) and acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis (13.9%) being the most common clinical diagnoses. Cephalosporins (32.9%), penicillins (32.3%) and macrolides (32.1%) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes. The majority (90.4%) of antibiotics were broad spectrum. Antibiotic expenditures totalled ∼€50 million. CONCLUSIONS Broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing is common in outpatient paediatric patients. These data provide important targets to inform the development of an outpatient antimicrobial stewardship programme targeting specific practices, providers and conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kourlaba
- The Stavros Niarchos Foundation - Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kourkouni
- The Stavros Niarchos Foundation - Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Spyridis
- Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Second Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Jeffrey S Gerber
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, UPENN School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John Kopsidas
- The Stavros Niarchos Foundation - Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Mougkou
- The Stavros Niarchos Foundation - Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Lourida
- The Stavros Niarchos Foundation - Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Theoklis E Zaoutis
- The Stavros Niarchos Foundation - Collaborative Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, UPENN School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Efstratiadis G, Voulgaridou A, Nikiforou D, Kyventidis A, Kourkouni E, Vergoulas G. Rhabdomyolysis updated. Hippokratia 2007; 11:129-137. [PMID: 19582207 PMCID: PMC2658796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyolysis constitutes a common cause of acute renal failure and presents paramount interest. A large variety of causes with different pathogenetic mechanisms can involve skeletal muscles resulting in rhabdomyolysis with or without acute renal failure. Crush syndrome, one of the most common causes of rhabdomyolysis presents increased clinical interest, particularly in areas often involved by earthquakes, such as Greece and Turkey. Drug abusers are another sensitive group of young patients prone to rhabdomyolysis, which attracts the clinical interest of a variety of medical specialties. We herein review the evidence extracted from updated literature concerning the data related to pathogenetic mechanisms and pathophysiology as well as the management of this interesting syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Efstratiadis
- Nephrology Department, Aristotle University, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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