Incidence of interruptive penicillin allergy alerts in patients with previously documented beta-lactam exposure: Potential for leveraging the electronic health record to identify erroneous allergies

BACKGROUND

Approximately 10% of patients report allergies to penicillin, yet >90% of these allergies are not clinically significant. Patients reporting penicillin allergies are often treated with second-line, non-β-lactam antibiotics that are typically broader spectrum and more toxic. Orders for β-lactam antibiotics for these patients trigger interruptive alerts, even when there is electronic health record (EHR) data indicating prior β-lactam exposure.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the rate that interruptive penicillin allergy alerts display for patients who have previously had a β-lactam exposure.

DESIGN

Retrospective EHR review from January 2013 through June 2018.

SETTING

A nonprofit health system including 1 large tertiary-care medical center, a smaller associated hospital, 2 emergency departments, and ˜250 outpatient clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients with EHR-documented of penicillin allergies.

METHODS

We examined interruptive penicillin allergy alerts and identified the number and percentage of alerts that display for patients with a prior administration of a penicillin class or other β-lactam antibiotic.

RESULTS

Of 115,081 allergy alerts that displayed during the study period, 8% were displayed for patients who had an inpatient administration of a penicillin antibiotic after the allergy was noted, and 49% were displayed for patients with a prior inpatient administration of any β-lactam.

CONCLUSIONS

Many interruptive penicillin allergy alerts display for patients who would likely tolerate a penicillin, and half of all alerts display for patients who would likely tolerate another β-lactam.

Performance and Integration of Smartphone Wireless ECG Monitoring into the Enterprise Electronic Health Record: First Clinical Experience

Introduction:

Patient initiated, remote cardiac monitoring has proved to be a significant advance in the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias. Further improvements in ease of use and access to results will further improve health outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Here we describe a proof-of-concept evaluation to assess the feasibility of successfully implementing a cloud-based management system using KardiaPro (KP) for remote electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring to interface into EPIC, an enterprise electronic health record (EHR) system.

Methods:

The KP management system was embedded using hypertext markup language (HTML) code directly into the EHR. Encrypted credentials and patient data were bundled with an application programming interface key allowing linkage of remote monitoring from patients’ smartphones. During the time of implementation, a total of 322 patients and 32 179 ECGs were recorded.

Results:

The KP-EHR interface provided full functionality, allowing detection, interpretation and documentation of atrial fibrillation (AF), flutter events, ventricular tachycardia, and complete heart block. Our study focused on KP’s detection of AF, and 16.7% of tracings were classified as probable AF with only 2.3% of tracings not analyzed by the KP algorithm because of tracings that were too noisy or truncated. Enhanced management was facilitated with clinical information immediately accessible. Blinded physician ECG review validated the KP proprietary algorithm interpretation and ECGs.

Conclusions:

Direct integration of KP into EHR was successful and practical. It allows for historical, point of care and immediate retrieval of remote ambulatory monitoring data and documentation into the electronic health record. KP EHR integration warrants further study as it has the potential to improve cost-effectiveness and clinical diagnostic value, leading to improvements in delivery of patient care.

1098 Prophylactic Doxycycline Prior To The Excision of Ulcerated Skin Lesions. An Audit of Dose Timings and Adverse Effects

Aim

Antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections following excision of ulcerated skin lesions is frequently recommended, although the evidence base is limited. Current Swansea Bay guidelines recommend pre-operative administration of antibiotics: for procedures performed under local anaesthetic in the Plastic Surgery Treatment Centre (PSTC), oral route is preferable. It was noted that a number of patients were experiencing nausea and vomiting following administration of the recommended oral agent (doxycycline). The aim of this audit was to quantify the proportion of patients experiencing adverse effects, and to assess whether the prophylactic dose was being administered within the recommended time frame.

Method

Data was collected over a three-week period (28/10/20- 18/11/20). All patients that received doxycycline pre-operatively during this period were included: the time the doxycycline was given, the time of operation and whether there were any adverse effects was recorded for each patient.

Results

14 patients received doxycycline during the monitored period. On average the doxycycline was given 52 minutes prior to the procedure. 2 patients received their doxycycline dose after their procedures. 4 patients experienced side effects from the doxycycline (3 vomited, 1 nausea), the average time this subset of patients received their dose was 50 minutes prior to their procedure.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of patients experience adverse after receiving doxycycline, whilst there is limited evidence to prove its benefits. Trust guidelines are under review to consider alternative antibiotics, but better evidence is required to clarify the need for antibiotic prophylaxis for ulcerated lesions.

Two Consecutive Invasive Surgeries Utilizing Zymogen Protein C (ZPC) That Enhanced Patient Safety and Reduced Costs

This case report describes a major surgical procedure for a protein C-deficient, hypercoagulable patient who underwent two back-to-back invasive surgeries, hip replacement, and spinal stenosis correction. The patient, an 84-year-old male with a history of deep vein thromboses (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE), was treated pre-, peri-, and postoperatively with zymogen protein C (ZPC-Baxter, International) and recovered without clotting or increased bleeding. During the procedure, the patient was not administered any other anticoagulants. There have now been several case reports on different patients with unrelated teams in various locations worldwide using zymogen protein C during surgical procedures. Thus, this procedure is becoming a viable choice for patients with a high probability of clotting during and after invasive surgery. This case focuses on accomplishing safer surgery and reducing costs, by using less ZPC while accomplishing two surgeries in one procedure. As a result, this procedure might be useful for many medical situations where acquired protein C deficiency could be a problem (e.g., sepsis, pregnancy, etc.). This approach may have greater application to medical conditions other than protein C deficiency, where clotting and inflammation can become issues.

Letter to the Editor: Healthy for Life: An Innovative and Collaborative Approach to COVID 19 Lockdown in New Zealand

Recently Boreskie and colleagues published an editorial in the Journal of Frailty and Aging on Preventing Frailty Progression During the COVID-19 Pandemic (1). In it they proposed the SAVE programme (Socialization, Adequate nutrition, Vitamin D, Exercise) to prevent frailty. They concluded that creative thinking and concerted efforts would be needed to disseminate health recommendations to maintain the health of pre-frail and frail older adults in unprecedented times, such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical Decision Support for Hyperbilirubinemia Risk Assessment in the Electronic Health Record

BACKGROUND

Physiologic neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) is common and affects most newborn infants. However, there is a risk for permanent neurological damage if the bilirubin levels rise above a certain threshold. The management of neonatal jaundice includes the assessment of bilirubin laboratory values, consideration of patient-specific risk factors, and plotting on a bilirubin nomogram reference to determine risk and guide therapy. When performed manually, the process can be time consuming and error-prone. Therefore, web-based calculators such as BiliTool have been developed to assist in risk assessment.

METHODS

To streamline the risk assessment calculation process further within our electronic health record (EHR), we created a "BiliReport" to display patient bilirubin-related data and automate transmission of deidentified patient data to the BiliTool website (https://bilitool.org). After implementation, we evaluated usage data, provider satisfaction, and accuracy of documentation.

RESULTS

We demonstrated high provider use of the BiliReport and satisfaction with the workflow. We found a significant improvement in the accuracy of bilirubin risk level documentation, with a reduction in erroneous risk stratification from 4% (15/232) to 0.4% (1/243), P < 0.001. We did not find significant a difference in erroneous documentation of the bilirubin lab value (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating the neonatal hyperbilirubinemia risk assessment process into the EHR may reduce errors and improve provider documentation and adherence to recommended guidelines.

The use of laser-based diagnostics for the rapid identification of infectious agents in human blood

AIMS

To investigate the use of a laser-based method of detection as a potential diagnostic test for the rapid identification of infectious agents in human blood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, the successful differentiation of blood spiked with viruses, bacteria or protozoan parasites to clinically relevant levels is demonstrated using six blood types (O+, O-, AB+, A+, A-, B+) using blood from different individuals with blood samples prepared in two different laboratories. Experiments were performed using various compositions of filters, experimental set-ups and experimental parameters for spectral capture.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential for developing a laser-based diagnostic instrument to detect the presence of parasites, bacteria and viruses in human blood capable of providing analysis results within minutes was demonstrated.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

There is an ongoing need for clinical diagnostics to adapt to newly emerging agents and to screen simultaneously for multiple infectious agents. A laser-based approach can achieve sensitive, multiplex detection with minimal sample preparation and provide rapid results (within minutes). These properties along with the flexibility to add new agent detection by simply adjusting the detection programming make it a promising tool for clinical diagnosis.

Systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis of patient-reported outcome measures for abdominal aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND

The aim was to identify and evaluate existing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for use in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) to inform the selection for use in surgical practice.

METHODS

Two reviews were conducted: a systematic review to identify valid, reliable and acceptable PROMs for patients with an AAA, and a qualitative evidence synthesis to assess the relevance to patients of the identified PROM items. PROM studies were evaluated for their psychometric properties using established assessment criteria, and for their methodological quality using the COSMIN checklist. Qualitative studies were synthesized using framework analysis, and concepts identified were then triangulated using a protocol with the item concepts of the identified PROMs.

RESULTS

Four PROMs from three studies were identified in the first review: Short Form 36, Australian Vascular Quality of Life Index, Aneurysm Dependent Quality of Life (AneurysmDQoL) and Aneurysm Symptoms Rating Questionnaire (AneurysmSRQ). None of the identified PROMs had undergone a rigorous psychometric evaluation within the AAA population. Four studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, from which 28 concepts important to patients with an AAA were identified. The AneurysmDQoL and AneurysmSRQ together provided the most comprehensive assessment of these concepts. Fear of rupture, control, ability to forget about the condition and size of aneurysm were all concepts identified in the qualitative studies but not covered by items in the identified PROMs.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed to develop PROMs for AAA that are reliable, valid and acceptable to patients.

A Large-Scale Initiative Inviting Patients to Share Personal Fitness Tracker Data with Their Providers: Initial Results

Background

Personal fitness trackers (PFT) have substantial potential to improve healthcare.

Objective

To quantify and characterize early adopters who shared their PFT data with providers.

Methods

We used bivariate statistics and logistic regression to compare patients who shared any PFT data vs. patients who did not.

Results

A patient portal was used to invite 79,953 registered portal users to share their data. Of 66,105 users included in our analysis, 499 (0.8%) uploaded data during an initial 37-day study period. Bivariate and regression analysis showed that early adopters were more likely than non-adopters to be younger, male, white, health system employees, and to have higher BMIs. Neither comorbidities nor utilization predicted adoption.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that patients had little intrinsic desire to share PFT data with their providers, and suggest that patients most at risk for poor health outcomes are least likely to share PFT data. Marketing, incentives, and/or cultural change may be needed to induce such data-sharing.

Potential of Sugar Residues Attached to N-(2- Hydroxypropyl)methacryl amide Copolymers as Targeting Groups for the Selective Delivery of Drugs

Soluble copolymers of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) have already shown potential as targetable drug-carriers. Here HPMA copolymers were synthesized which contained N-linked aminosugars attached to the poly mer backbone via a diglycyl side-chain. Following radioiodination their body distribution in rats was investigated. Incorporation of mannosamine or glu cosamine caused enhanced deposition in liver macrophages following intra venous and intraperitoneal administration, and increased retention at the site of injection when the carrier was administered subcutaneously. Macrophage pinocytic uptake of certain HPMA copolymers was also assessed using rat peri toneal macrophages cultured in vitro. It was demonstrated that polymers bear ing mannosamine or glucosamine are internalized rapidly by a common recep tor and that the interaction can be inhibited by free D-mannose, L-fucose, but not by D-glucose.

Effect of the Chemical Modification of Dextran on the Degradation by Dextranase

Dextran was modified using three different methods: a) partial periodate oxidation and subsequent reduction of the aldehyde groups, b) suc cinoylation and c) chloroformate activation with subsequent reaction with 2- hydroxypropylamine, ethylenediamine and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine. Degrada tion of these dextran derivatives by dextranases was investigated. It was observed that the rate of degradation decreased with increasing degree of chemical modification of the parent polysaccharide. The nature of modification had no significant influence on the rate of degradation.

Effect of the Chemical Modification of Dextran on the Degradation by Rat Liver Lysosomal Enzymes

The biodegradation of dextran, reduced dextran dialdehyde and dextran monosuccinate ester was investigated using isolated rat liver lysosomes. It was demonstrated that chemical modification of the parent dex tran resulted in a reduced degradability. The action of the exo-enzyme α-glucos idase (α-D-glucoside glucohydrolase) was nearly the same for parent dextran as for the derivatives. In order to explain the degradation data, the presence of the endo-acting enzyme dextranase (1,6-α-D-glucan 6-glucanohydrolase) in the lysosomes was taken into account.

Poly(Glyceryl Methacrylate) Hydrogels - Effect of Composition and Crosslinking Density on Structure and Release of Dextran as a Model Macromolecule

A series of hydrogels based on glyceryl methacrylate (pGMA) were prepared with different ratios of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and ethyl methacrylate (EMA) in order to vary the degree of crosslinking and the degree of hydrophobicity of the matrices, respectively. The swelling be haviour and the crosslinking density of the hydrogels were characterized and the structure was determined by scanning electron microscopy and porosime try. FITC-dextran (molecular weight 20,000) was imbibed into the gels and the release rate studied. It was found that the initial rate of release and the total amount of dextran release varied as an inverse function of crosslinking and monomer concentration, but as a linear function of EMA concentration.

Immunogenicity of Protein-N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide Copolymer Conjugates in A/J and B10 Mice

Two proteins (model targeting residues) human immunoglobulin fraction (IgG) and human transferrin have been conjugated to N-(2-hydroxy propyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer and the antibody titer elicited, after subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration to A/J and B10 mice of free and conjugated protein, was measured using the ELISA technique. The measured IgG titer against protein-HPMA copolymer conjugates was always higher than the IgM titer. Also, the titer (IgG) measured against native protein was up to 250-fold greater than that raised against protein-HPMA copolymer conjugates. This reduction in antibody titer against conjugate had a limited de pendence on its molecular weight.

Standardized methods to generate mock (spiked) clinical specimens by spiking blood or plasma with cultured pathogens

AIMS

To demonstrate standardized methods for spiking pathogens into human matrices for evaluation and comparison among diagnostic platforms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study presents detailed methods for spiking bacteria or protozoan parasites into whole blood and virus into plasma. Proper methods must start with a documented, reproducible pathogen source followed by steps that include standardized culture, preparation of cryopreserved aliquots, quantification of the aliquots by molecular methods, production of sufficient numbers of individual specimens and testing of the platform with multiple mock specimens. Results are presented following the described procedures that showed acceptable reproducibility comparing in-house real-time PCR assays to a commercially available multiplex molecular assay.

CONCLUSIONS

A step by step procedure has been described that can be followed by assay developers who are targeting low prevalence pathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The development of diagnostic platforms for detection of low prevalence pathogens such as biothreat or emerging agents is challenged by the lack of clinical specimens for performance evaluation. This deficit can be overcome using mock clinical specimens made by spiking cultured pathogens into human matrices. To facilitate evaluation and comparison among platforms, standardized methods must be followed in the preparation and application of spiked specimens.

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: EEG and investigation

In the investigation of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), the main differential diagnoses are between convulsive PNES and tonic-clonic seizures, between swoon PNES and syncope, and between pseudoabsence PNES and absence seizures. For the best diagnostic certainty, events must be captured, ideally using video-electroencephalogram (EEG), including an electrocardiographic channel. The "video" part of video-EEG allows EEG changes (or lack of them) to be interpreted in the appropriate clinical context. When the diagnosis is based on less good data (e.g., video alone or EEG alone), then the limitations and constraints of the tests should borne in mind, and a lesser degree of certainty must be accepted. Tests such as serum prolactin (PRL) level and postictal EEG should be regarded as adjunctive rather than definitive. Excluding additional epilepsy with a good probability is not possible using investigations alone. In particular, one standard interictal EEG recording is of little value in excluding additional epilepsy, though multiple or prolonged recordings may offer additional sensitivity.

Regulation of skeletal remodeling by parathyroid hormone

PTH is responsible for the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and normocalcemia. Secretion of PTH is stimulated or suppressed by perturbations in the serum calcium level. The calciotropic effects of PTH are mediated primarily by bone, where PTH-stimulated remodeling may release calcium to the extracellular fluid, and by the kidneys, where calcium reabsorption and phosphate excretion are increased. The effects of PTH in bone are bipolar: including regulation of multiple cell types, especially, both osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and stimulating both bone formation (anabolic effects) and bone resorption (catabolic) effects. The purpose of this review is to discuss the available data regarding PTH-regulated bone remodeling, the role of second messengers produced by polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, the possible role of G proteins in regulating this reaction, and the biologic effects of activating this system. Greater insight into the complexities of parathyroid hormone-regulated bone remodeling are still required.

Magnitude of fragility fracture risk in the very old--are we meeting their needs? The Newcastle 85+ Study

Fractures due to osteoporosis are common in older people. This study assessed the management of osteoporosis in a group of 85-year-olds and found both assessment and current treatment to be suboptimal.

INTRODUCTION

Fragility fractures are a major cause of excess mortality, substantial morbidity, and health and social service expenditure in older people. However, much less is known about fracture risk and its management in the very old, despite this being the fastest growing age group of our population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of people who reached the age of 85 during the year of 2006 was carried out. Data were gathered by general practice record review (GPRR) and a multidimensional health assessment (MDHA).

RESULTS

Seven hundred thirty-nine individuals were recruited. Mean age was 85.55 years (SD 0.44), and 60.2% were female; 33.7% (n = 249) had experienced one or more fragility fractures (F 45.2% vs M 16.3% p < 0.001); in total, 332 fractures occurred in these 249 individuals. A formal documented diagnosis of osteoporosis occurred in 12.4%, and 38% of individuals had experienced a fall in the last 12 months. When the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) and National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) guidelines were applied, osteoporosis treatment would be recommended in 35.0%, with a further 26.1% identified as needing bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and 38.9% not requiring treatment or BMD assessment. Women were more likely than men to need treatment (47.4 vs 16.3%, p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 4.62 (3.22-5.63)) and measurement of BMD (40.0 vs 5.1%, p < 0.001, OR 12.4 (7.13-21.6)). Of the 259 individuals identified as requiring treatment, only 74 (28.6%) were on adequate osteoporosis treatment.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of high fracture risk in the very old is much higher than the documented diagnosis of osteoporosis or the use of adequate treatments.

A rare three part proximal ulnar shear fracture requiring innovative reduction and fixation in a paediatric elbow

Fracture of the proximal ulna in children is an uncommon injury with various classification models. An 8-year-old boy presented to our emergency department with an isolated three part intra-articular fracture of his right proximal ulna from an extension injury sustained during skiing which has not been previously described in the literature. He was taken to the operating room for open reduction and internal fixation. Two cannulated screws positioned in a posterior–anterior direction were used to hold the reduction. He was discharged from the hospital 24 h post-reduction in a complete cast. At 5 weeks follow-up, his elbow radiographs indicate no loss of reduction and at 4 months follow-up, he has regained a full range of movement at the elbow joint. The cannulated screws were left in situ as it did not cause him any harm. We propose that the described fracture pattern should be managed by open reduction and internal fixation (cannulated screws used to hold the reduction, position in a posterior–anterior direction).

Incidence, progression and sequence of development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis in a symptomatic population

OBJECTIVES

Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disabling condition. Attention has tended to focus on the tibiofemoral joint (TFJ). However, there is evidence that the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) is involved in many cases, but its place in the sequence of development and progression of knee OA is unclear. This study estimates the cumulative incidence, progression and inter-relationship of radiographic changes of OA in the TFJ and the PFJ in symptomatic adults.

METHODS

A population-based observational cohort of 414 adults aged ≥ 50 years with knee pain who had knee x-rays (weight-bearing posteroanterior semiflexed, skyline and lateral views) in 2002-3 and again in 2005-6 (mean interval 36.7 months) was studied. The outcome measure was the development of incident or progressive radiographic OA.

RESULTS

The 3-year cumulative incidences of patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (PFJOA) and tibiofemoral joint osteoarthritis (TFJOA) were 28.8% and 21.7%, respectively. Corresponding estimates of 3-year cumulative progression were 18.9% and 25.3%. PFJOA at baseline was common and increased the risk of incident TFJOA (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.1) but less clearly progression of TFJOA (adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.3 to 9.0). TFJOA at baseline increased the risk of PFJOA incidence and progression (adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 8.4 and OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.8 to 11.2, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a common sequence in the development of radiographic knee OA in symptomatic adults beginning in the PFJ, with subsequent addition and progression of TFJOA. It is proposed that isolated symptomatic PFJOA may be one marker for the future development of TFJOA and a target for the early management of knee OA.

Guided self-help for functional (psychogenic) symptoms: a randomized controlled efficacy trial

OBJECTIVES

Functional (psychogenic or somatoform) symptoms are common in neurology clinics. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment, but there are major obstacles to its provision in practice. We tested the hypothesis that adding CBT-based guided self-help (GSH) to the usual care (UC) received by patients improves outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized trial in 2 neurology services in the United Kingdom. Outpatients with functional symptoms (rated by the neurologist as "not at all" or only "somewhat" explained by organic disease) were randomly allocated to UC or UC plus GSH. GSH comprised a self-help manual and 4 half-hour guidance sessions. The primary outcome was self-rated health on a 5-point clinical global improvement scale (CGI) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were measured at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

In this trial, 127 participants were enrolled, and primary outcome data were collected for 125. Participants allocated to GSH reported greater improvement on the primary outcome (adjusted common odds ratio on the CGI 2.36 [95% confidence interval 1.17-4.74; p = 0.016]). The absolute difference in proportion "better" or "much better" was 13% (number needed to treat was 8). At 6 months the treatment effect was no longer statistically significant on the CGI but was apparent in symptom improvement and in physical functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT-based GSH is feasible to implement and efficacious. Further evaluation is indicated.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class III evidence that CBT-based GSH therapy improves self-reported general health, as measured by the CGI, in patients with functional neurologic symptoms.

Seizure risk from cavernous or arteriovenous malformations: prospective population-based study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the risk of epileptic seizures due to a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or cavernous malformation (CM).

METHODS

In a prospective population-based study of new diagnoses of AVMs (n = 229) or CMs (n = 139) in adults in Scotland in 1999-2003, we used annual medical records surveillance, general practitioner follow-up, and patient questionnaires to quantify the risk of seizures between clinical presentation and AVM/CM treatment, last follow-up, or death.

RESULTS

The 5-year risk of first-ever seizure after presentation was higher for AVMs presenting with intracranial hemorrhage or focal neurologic deficit (ICH/FND: n = 119; 23%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9%-37%) than for incidental AVMs (n = 40; 8%, 95% CI 0%-20%), CMs presenting with ICH/FND (n = 38; 6%, 95% CI 0%-14%), or incidental CMs (n = 57; 4%, 95% CI 0%-10%). For adults who had never experienced ICH/FND, the 5-year risk of epilepsy after first-ever seizure was higher for CMs (n = 23; 94%, 95% CI 84%-100%) than AVMs (n = 37; 58%, 95% CI 40%-76%; p = 0.02). Among adults who never experienced ICH/FND and presented with or developed epilepsy, there was no difference in the proportions achieving 2-year seizure freedom over 5 years between AVMs (n = 43; 45%, 95% CI 20%-70%) and CMs (n = 35; 47%, 95% CI 27%-67%).

CONCLUSIONS

AVM-related ICH confers a significantly higher risk of a first-ever seizure compared to CMs or incidental AVMs. Adults with a CM have a high risk of epilepsy after a first-ever seizure but achieve seizure freedom as frequently as those with epilepsy due to an AVM.

Disability, distress and unemployment in neurology outpatients with symptoms 'unexplained by organic disease'

OBJECTIVES

To determine the disability, distress and employment status of new neurology outpatients with physical symptoms unexplained by organic disease and to compare them with patients with symptoms explained by organic disease.

METHODS

As part of a cohort study (the Scottish Neurological Symptoms Study) neurologists rated the extent to which each new patient's symptoms were explained by organic disease. Patients whose symptoms were rated as 'not at all' or only 'somewhat' explained by disease were considered cases, and those whose symptoms were 'largely' or 'completely' explained by disease were considered controls. All patients completed self-ratings of disability, health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12-Item Scale (SF-12)) and emotional distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and also reported their employment and state financial benefit status.

RESULTS

3781 patients were recruited: 1144 (30%) cases and 2637 (70%) controls. Cases had worse physical health status (SF-12 score 42 vs 44; difference in means 1.7 (95% CI -2.5 to 0.9)) and worse mental health status (SF-12 score 43 vs 47; difference in means -3.5 (95% CI -4.3 to to 2.7)). Unemployment was similar in cases and controls (50% vs 50%) but cases were more likely not to be working for health reasons (54% vs 37% of the 50% not working; OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.4)) and also more likely to be receiving disability-related state financial benefits (27% vs 22%; (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6)).

CONCLUSIONS

New neurology patients with symptoms unexplained by organic disease have more disability-, distress- and disability-related state financial benefits than patients with symptoms explained by disease.

Skeletal morbidity in children receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

BACKGROUND

Children receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) may be susceptible to skeletal morbidity.

AIM

To determine the incidence and risk factors for skeletal morbidity in ALL children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records of all (n=186, boys=110) children presenting to a single centre with ALL between 1997 and 2007 and treated on UKALL97, UKALL97/01 or UKALL2003 were studied. Skeletal morbidity included musculoskeletal pain, fractures and osteonecrosis (ON). Musculoskeletal pain was classified as any event of limb pain, muscle pain, joint symptoms or back pain that required radiological examination. Fractures and ON were confirmed by x-rays and MRI, respectively.

RESULTS

Skeletal morbidity, presenting as musculoskeletal pain, fractures or ON were reported in 88 (47%) children of whom 56 (63%) were boys. Of 88 children, 49 (55%), 27 (30%) and 18 (20%) had musculoskeletal pain, fracture(s) or ON, respectively. 6 (7%) had fractures and ON. The median (10th, 90th centiles) age at diagnosis of ALL in those children without skeletal morbidity was 3.9 (1.4-12) years which was lower than in those with skeletal morbidity at 8.2 (2.2-14.3) years (p<0.00001, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.4). Children with ALL diagnosed over 8 years of age were at increased risk of developing fracture(s) (p=0.01, OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.5) whereas the risk of ON was higher in those who were diagnosed after 9 years of age (p<0.0001, OR=15, 95% CI 4.1 to 54.4). There was no sex difference in the incidence of skeletal complications. Children who received Dexamethasone had a higher incidence of skeletal morbidity than those who were treated with Prednisolone (p=0.027, OR=2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.9).

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of skeletal morbidity in ALL children may be influenced by age and the type of glucocorticoids. These findings may facilitate the development of effective bone protective intervention.

Neurology out-patients with symptoms unexplained by disease: illness beliefs and financial benefits predict 1-year outcome

BACKGROUND

Patients whose symptoms are 'unexplained by disease' often have a poor symptomatic outcome after specialist consultation, but we know little about which patient factors predict this. We therefore aimed to determine predictors of poor subjective outcome for new neurology out-patients with symptoms unexplained by disease 1 year after the initial consultation.

METHOD

The Scottish Neurological Symptom Study was a 1-year prospective cohort study of patients referred to secondary care National Health Service neurology clinics in Scotland (UK). Patients were included if the neurologist rated their symptoms as 'not at all' or only 'somewhat explained' by organic disease. Patient-rated change in health was rated on a five-point Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) scale ('much better' to 'much worse') 1 year later.

RESULTS

The 12-month outcome data were available on 716 of 1144 patients (63%). Poor outcome on the CGI ('unchanged', 'worse' or 'much worse') was reported by 482 (67%) out of 716 patients. The only strong independent baseline predictors were patients' beliefs [expectation of non-recovery (odds ratio [OR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-2.96), non-attribution of symptoms to psychological factors (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.51-3.26)] and the receipt of illness-related financial benefits (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.37-3.86). Together, these factors predicted 13% of the variance in outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the patients, two-thirds had a poor outcome at 1 year. Illness beliefs and financial benefits are more useful in predicting poor outcome than the number of symptoms, disability and distress.

Introduction of the Liverpool Care Pathway for end of life care to emergency medicine

AIM

To improve the care of patients presenting to the emergency department who are acutely dying or those in whom further disease-modifying treatment is not appropriate.

DESIGN

A quality improvement report on the implementation of a modified Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) in an emergency medicine department.

SETTING

The emergency medicine department of Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. Ninewells Hospital is the tertiary referral and teaching hospital for the east coast of Scotland and North East Fife.

KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT

The pathway was introduced after a 2001 study and a 2003 audit showed that the department had an increasing role in the care of the acutely dying, but some inconsistency in approach. Key measures for improvement were to improve communication between staff, improve the consistency of care and improve the perceived quality of care given. Senior decision making remains a crucial element of the pathway.

STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE

A modified LCP was developed and launched in November 2005. Change was managed via a series of meetings and a pilot process. Serial review and audit allowed ongoing quality review of the pathway and improvements.

RESULTS

The care of the dying patient has become a more consistent and positive endeavour. Nursing staff are very satisfied with its use, and it is hoped that the LCP pathway can be developed further within the organisation.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been a rewarding undertaking to improve the care of dying patients, but one which has taken time and has required consistent management of change to promote the positive outcomes.

Does isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis matter?

OBJECTIVES

To describe the structure-pain and structure-function associations in isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PF OA).

DESIGN

Population-based study of 819 adults aged > or =50 years with knee pain. The severity of knee pain, stiffness and disability were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Three radiographic views of the knee were obtained.

RESULTS

Isolated PF OA was mild in 142 participants and moderate/severe in 44. Mean WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness and function were associated with radiographic severity of PF OA (F(2,389)=4.7, P=0.01; F(2,392)=4.5, P=0.012 and F(2,392)=6.1, P=0.002, respectively, adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI)). Post-hoc tests demonstrated statistically significant differences for mean pain, stiffness and function score between those with mild PF OA and those with normal X-rays. In task-specific items there was evidence of a stepped response, the proportion of participants with moderate/severe/extreme pain or difficulty in performing everyday tasks increasing with the severity of PF OA. The strongest association was observed for pain going up and down stairs (age-gender-BMI adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4,6.6. Functional tasks most strongly related to radiographic severity were: descending stairs (OR 3.2; (CI 1.5,6.5)), getting in/out of the bath (3.2; 1.5,6.6), getting in/out of a car (3.0; 1.4,6.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Mild isolated PF OA is significantly associated with symptoms of pain, stiffness and functional limitation. Further research on its recognition in clinical practice and the development of targeted treatments to prevent or slow progression are warranted.

Detecting seizure origin using basic, multiscale population dynamic measures: preliminary findings

Many types of electrographic seizures are readily identifiable by direct visual examination of electroencephalographic or electrocorticographic recordings. This process can, however, be painstakingly slow, and much effort has been expended to automate the process using various dynamic properties of epileptiform waveforms. As methods have become more subtle and powerful they have been used for seizure subclassification, seizure prediction, and seizure onset identification and localization. Here we concentrate on the last, with reference to seizures of neocortical origin. We briefly review some of the methods used and introduce preliminary results from a very simple dynamic model based on key electrophysiological properties found in some seizure types: occurrence of very fast oscillations (sometimes called ripples), excess gamma frequency oscillations, electroencephalographic/electrocorticographic flattening, and changes in global synchrony. We show how this multiscale analysis may reveal features unique to seizure onset and speculate on the underlying cellular and network phenomena responsible.

The contribution of selected non-articular conditions to knee pain severity and associated disability in older adults

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the contribution of selected non-articular conditions (NACs) to pain severity and functional limitation in community-dwelling older adults with knee pain.

DESIGN

Population-based, cross-sectional study of 745 adults aged 50 years and over with knee pain. Self-complete questionnaires, clinical history and physical examination were used to identify the presence of selected NACs that could cause pain around the knee. Regression analyses were used to compare levels of knee pain severity (0-20) and functional limitation (0-68) (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index physical function subscale [WOMAC-PF]), between those with one or more NACs and those with none (NACs-absent).

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-three (36.6%) participants had at least one NAC: widespread pain, n=159; low back pain with index leg referral, n=102; full-leg pain, n=88; hip arthritis, n=65; prepatellar, infrapatellar or pes anserine bursitis, n=35. The NACs group had significantly higher levels of pain severity and functional limitation than the NACs-absent group: 8.2(+/-4.6) vs 5.4(+/-3.8) and 27.9(+/-15.8) vs 16.8(+/-13.2), respectively. The groups did not differ with respect to severity of radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA). Having one or more NACs accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in WOMAC scores, above that which could be explained by age, gender, body mass index and severity of ROA.

CONCLUSION

NACs appear to be common in older adults with knee pain. They make a significant contribution to knee pain severity and functional limitation and are likely to represent additional, rather than alternative, causes of knee pain/functional limitation to osteoarthritis (OA). These factors should be taken into account in epidemiological studies of knee pain and OA.

Increased procoagulant cell-derived microparticles (C-MP) in splenectomized patients with ITP

BACKGROUND

Splenectomy is frequently employed for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes in various clinical disorders. However its long-term safety is not well elucidated. Although risk of infection by encapsulated organisms is widely recognized, less well-known are risks of thrombosis and cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

We investigated levels of cell-derived microparticles (C-MP) in 23 splenectomized ITP (ITP-S) and 53 unsplenectomized ITP patients (ITP-nS). Assay of C-MP derived from platelets (PMP), leukocytes (LMP), red cells (RMP) and endothelial cells (EMP) were performed by flow cytometry. Coagulation parameters included PT, aPTT and activities of FVIII, IX and XI. Results of all measures were compared between the two groups, ITP-S vs ITP-nS.

RESULTS

Levels of all C-MP were higher in ITP-S than ITP-nS but only RMP and LMP reached statistical significance (p = 0.0035 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The aPTT was significantly shorter in ITP-S (p = 0.029). Interestingly, correlation analysis revealed that RMP, but not other C-MP, were associated with shortening of aPTT (p = 0.024) as well as with increased activities of factors VIII (p = 0.023), IX (p = 0.021) and XI (p = 0.0089).

CONCLUSIONS

RMP and LMP were significantly elevated in splenectomized compared to non-splenectomized ITP patients. This suggests that the spleen functions to clear procoagulant C-MP, and that elevation of C-MP might contribute to increased risk of thrombosis, progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease following splenectomy.