Increased stress, weight gain and less exercise in relation to glycemic control in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Lockdown measures have a profound effect on many aspects of daily life relevant for diabetes self-management. We assessed whether lockdown measures, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, differentially affect perceived stress, body weight, exercise and related this to glycemic control in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a short-term observational cohort study at the Leiden University Medical Center. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes ≥18 years were eligible to participate. Participants filled out online questionnaires, sent in blood for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) analysis and shared data of their flash or continuous glucose sensors. HbA1c during the lockdown was compared with the last known HbA1c before the lockdown.

RESULTS

In total, 435 people were included (type 1 diabetes n=280, type 2 diabetes n=155). An increase in perceived stress and anxiety, weight gain and less exercise was observed in both groups. There was improvement in glycemic control in the group with the highest HbA1c tertile (type 1 diabetes: -0.39% (-4.3 mmol/mol) (p<0.0001 and type 2 diabetes: -0.62% (-6.8 mmol/mol) (p=0.0036). Perceived stress was associated with difficulty with glycemic control (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in perceived stress and anxiety, weight gain and less exercise but no deterioration of glycemic control occurs in both people with relatively well-controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes during short-term lockdown measures. As perceived stress showed to be associated with glycemic control, this provides opportunities for healthcare professionals to put more emphasis on psychological aspects during diabetes care consultations.

The psychological impact on an orthopaedic outpatient setting in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) a global pandemic on 11 March 2020, after the coronavirus claimed 4628 lives worldwide. Mental health challenges such as making impossible decisions and working under extreme pressures are expected to be faced by frontline healthcare workers who are directly involved in the care of COVID-19 patients. However, we question if significant stress levels might also be observed in a subspecialty musculoskeletal outpatient department, where staff are not first-line care providers of COVID-19 patients. We hypothesize that these healthcare workers also face significant psychological strain, and we aim to objectively determine the prevalence using a validated caregiver strain index.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatient musculoskeletal clinics in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. We collected basic demographic data and used a 13-question tool adapted from the validated Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) to measure psychological strain in these healthcare workers. Participants were divided into 2 groups depending on the level of strain experienced.

RESULTS

A total of 62 healthcare workers volunteered for this study. There were 32 participants (51.6%) who had 7 or more positive responses (group 1) and the remaining 30 participants (48.4%) were allocated to group 2. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data. "Work adjustments" (74.2%), "changes in personal plans" (72.6%), and finding it "confining" (72.6%) garnered the most positive responses in the questionnaire. On the other hand, "financial concerns" garnered the least positive responses (21.0%).

CONCLUSION

The protracted duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its resultant prolonged adjustments can have unintended consequences of wearing down healthcare resources otherwise allocated to chronic and elective conditions. Countries should ensure that measures are put in place to safeguard the mental well-being of our healthcare workers to avoid needing another reactive strategy in this battle against COVID-19.

Monitoring of patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy in a specialized diabetic nephropathy clinic seems to be beneficial

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of DM2 patients with nephropathy when they are under surveillance of a joined clinic run by endocrinologists & nephrologists.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 106 patients with DM2, 42-83 years of age, and eGFR < 60 ml/min/m² were included. Age, sex, duration of diabetes, duration of attending our clinic, smoking habits, BMI, data regarding ischemic heart disease and induction of hemodialysis, urine albumin excretion (UAE) levels, eGFR (MDRD equation) and values of various biochemical parameters were recorded too. Follow-up period ranged from one to 25 years. Paired samples t-test and non-parametrical Kruskal-Wallis test were used for the analyses of the data.

RESULTS

Fifty percent of patients had no further progression, 25.9% improvement, while 24.1% had worsening of the UAE levels. During the follow-up in the joined clinic, there was a smaller than the expected from the medical literature decrease in median eGFR, i.e. 2,3 ml/min/m² and a statistically significant improvement in glycosylated hemoglobin levels from 8.0% to 7.4% (p = 0.016). Time in years of follow-up in the joined clinic of our hospital appeared to be the most significant factor in the improvement or stabilization against deterioration of the UAE levels (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Close follow-up of DM2 patients with eGFR < 60 ml/min/m² has resulted in a minor annual eGFR decrease. Monitoring of these patients in a specialized diabetic nephropathy clinic is beneficial for this group of patients for delaying the occurrence of end-stage renal disease.

Frequency of foot ulcers in people with type 2 diabetes, presenting to specialist diabetes clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot ulceration is a serious limb-threatening complication of diabetes. It is the common cause of hospital admissions and amputations. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and its association with age, gender, duration of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy (PN), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and HbA1c.

METHODS

A total of 1940 people (≥ 30 years of age) with type 2 diabetes coming to the Sakina Institute of Diabetes and Endocrine Research (specialist diabetes clinic) at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, were recruited over a period of 1 year from January 2016 to January 2017. The foot ulcers were identified according to the University of Texas classification. PN was assessed by biothesiometer and PAD by ankle-brachial index (< 0.9). Body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c and duration of diabetes were recorded.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DFU was 7.02%, of which 4.5% of the ulcers were on the planter and 2.6% on the dorsal surface of the foot; 8.5% of the persons had bilateral foot ulcers and 0.4% subjects had Charcot deformity. There was significant association of foot ulcers with age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, PN and PAD, whereas no association was observed with gender and BMI. PN and PAD were observed in 26.3 and 6.68% of people with diabetes respectively. Neuropathic ulcers and neuro-ischemic ulcers were identified in 74 and 19% of the study population. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant odds ratio for peripheral neuropathy 23.9 (95% confidence interval (5.41-105.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral neuropathy is the commonest cause of foot ulcers. An optimum control of blood glucose to prevent neuropathy and regular feet examination of every person with diabetes may go a long way in preventing foot ulceration.

Improving the Perception of Outpatient Practice: A Second Continuity Experience for Internal Medicine Residents

BACKGROUND

The challenges trainees experience in the traditional medical clinic are felt to be one deterrent to choosing a primary care career.

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether participation in a second outpatient continuity experience (Second Site) affects trainee perception of primary care practice.

METHODS

241 current and former graduates of the Brown Alpert Medical School Internal Medicine training programs were surveyed about their experiences with Second Site.

RESULTS

Of the 232 potential responders, 160 completed the survey. Although most did not feel that the experience altered their chosen career path, a positive perception of outpatient practice was noted by 97% of the primary care respondents and 92% of the subspecialty respondents.

CONCLUSION

Second Site improved the perception of outpatient practice. A large number of our residents enter primary care, thus, few residents' careers were influenced by Second Site. Despite this, Second Site might enhance interest in primary care careers at other institutions. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-04.asp].

Day surgery in Romania

AIM

Well know in USA, Australia and then in western European countries, day surgery is still at the beginning in Romania and eastern European countries. In this paper we want to analyze the evolution and actual situation of day surgery in Romania and in County Emergency Hospital Timisoara (CEHT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the implementation of day surgery in our country there were two distinct periods. Between 2007- 2013 the CEHT negotiated its own day surgery baskets with Local Health Insurance Company (LHIC). Starting from 2014 until now, the National Health Insurance Company has established new day surgery baskets which can be negotiated between CEHT and LHIC.

RESULTS

Our study shows that day surgery in CEHT has had an undulating evolution - after a rising development at the beginning it stopped for a few years and now it has an ascendant evolution.

DISCUSSION

In this context, International Association for Ambulatory Surgery (IAAS) has initiated a series of actions to support implementation and development of day surgery in Romania and Eastern European countries. The first action was the support that the International Association for Ambulatory Surgery gave to the Romanian Society of Ambulatory Surgery in organizing on 15-16 September 2013 in Timisoara the course "Day Surgery - Making it Happen Overcoming Obstacles and Barriers". Discussions after the presentation of local realities in Eastern and Western Europe were particularly creative, being the stand in the accelerated development of day surgery in Romania.

CONCLUSIONS

Day surgery and ambulatory surgery have many advantages for patients (increased comfort, lower surgical risk, minimal stress and low anxiety, high satisfaction rate), for hospital (reducing congestion in hospital, enabling it to have a better capacity to deal with serious cases), and for healthcare (increased economic efficiency, cost / patient / surgery is lower than for continuous admissions). Known in our country from 2000, the implementation of day surgery still faces many hardships.

KEY WORDS

Day surgery, ambulatory surgery, Short hospitalization.

Experience from two decades of the Cambridge Rapid Access Neurology Clinic

We report on the evolution of the rapid access neurology clinic (established in 1995) at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. Annualised attendance data demonstrate an ever increasing demand, with primary headache disorders now accounting for more than 40% of referrals. Secondary causes of headache (including intracranial tumours, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, carotid or vertebral artery dissection and subdural haematomas) remain infrequent. In all such cases, there were additional diagnostic clues. The number of patients referred with problems related to chronic neurological diseases has fallen considerably, reflecting the roles of specialist nurses and clinics. Imaging investigation of choice shifted from computerised tomography scan (45 to 16%) towards magnetic resonance imaging (17 to 47%). Management is increasingly on an outpatient basis, often without the need for a follow-up appointment. The experience presented here should inform further development of rapid access neurology clinics across the UK and suggests the need for acute headache services, in line with those for transient ischaemic attack and first seizure.

[Effects of implementation of psychiatric out-patient clinics ("institutsambulanzen") on hospital admissions]

OBJECTIVE

In the German federal state Baden-Wuerttemberg psychiatric out-patient clinics ("Institutsambulanzen") have been implemented since 2002, later than elsewhere. The effects of these new out-patient services on the use of in-patient services should be examined in a defined catchment area.

METHOD

Data on the use of in-patient services 2002 - 2011 was recorded from psychiatric hospitals and day hospitals in a catchment area of 862 000 inhabitants as well as data from the corresponding out-patient clinics.

RESULTS

While the number of patients in the out-patient clinics increased from 1986 in 2002 to 7925 in 2011, the number of hospitalised patients increased only moderately, from 4452 in 2002 to 4930 in 2011. An increasing percentage of patients in the out-patients clinic did not use in-patient services in the respective year. This concerned particularly patients with adjustment and personality disorders, who do not find other appropriate psychotherapeutic care as out-patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of out-patient clinics had no significant effect on the number of hospitalisations and occupied beds.

Establishment of a new prostate cancer multidisciplinary clinic: Format and initial experience

BACKGROUND

The use of multidisciplinary clinics (MDCs) for outpatient cancer evaluation is increasing. MDCs may vary in format, and data on whether MDCs change prostate cancer (PCa) care are limited. Here we report on the setup and design of a relatively new PCa MDC clinic. Because MDC evaluation was associated with a comprehensive re-evaluation of all patients' staging and risk stratification data, we studied the frequency of changes in PCa grade and stage upon MDC evaluation, which provides a unique estimate of the magnitude of pathology, radiology, and exam-based risk stratification in a modern tertiary setting.

METHODS

In 2008-2012, 887 patients underwent consultation for newly diagnosed PCa at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) weekly MDC. In a same-day process, patients are interviewed and examined in a morning clinic. Examination findings, radiology studies, and biopsy slides are then reviewed during a noon conference that involves real-time collaboration among JHH attending specialty physicians: urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists. During afternoon consultations, attending physicians appropriate to each patient's eligible treatment options individually meet with patients to discuss management strategies and/or clinical trials. Retrospective chart review identified presenting tumor characteristics based on outside assessment, which was compared with stage and grade as determined at MDC evaluation.

RESULTS

Overall, 186/647 (28.7%) had a change in their risk category or stage. For example, 2.9% of men were down-classified as very-low-risk, rendering them eligible for active surveillance. 5.7% of men thought to have localized cancer were up-classified as metastatic, thus prompting systemic management approaches. Using NCCN guidelines as a benchmark, many men were found to have undergone non-indicated imaging (bone scan 23.9%, CT/MRI 47.4%). The three most chosen treatments after MDC evaluation were external beam radiotherapy ± androgen deprivation (39.3%), radical prostatectomy (32.0%), and active surveillance/expectant management (12.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

A once-weekly same-day evaluation that involves simultaneous data evaluation, management discussion, and patient consultations from a multidisciplinary team of PCa specialists is feasible. Comprehensive evaluation at a tertiary referral center, as demonstrated in a modern MDC setting, is associated with critical changes in presenting disease classification in over one in four men.

[The experience of medical information system implementation into multi-field outpatient facility]

The main prospective line of development of information technologies implemented into medical facilities is working out and approbation of complex solutions for work automatiozation. It is necessary to mention the experience of implementation of industrial integrated medical information system into the 9h diagnostic and treatment centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. In 2008 implementation of the information systems was funded by extra budgetary accounts of the facility. The basis of medical information system for the diagnostic and treatment centre was "Interin PROMIS". The article presents the main tasks, stages and difficulties that emerged in the process of implementation. One of the main tasks was to create the database of attached contingents. Conducted work allowed to increase access to healthcare, to develop transparent technologies for providing the healthcare to patients in different subunits. Implemented system is a very prospective for other military-medical facilities and has a unique functional capacity, system customizability, provides access to all activities of the medical facility.

Operational prototyping a tool for delivering value

Operational prototyping is a disciplined approach to developing best practices that enable an organization to enhance value through improved quality of care and reduced costs. The aim of operational prototyping is to fine-tune performance to the level of best practices by considering every element involved in a care process, including the design of the facilities required to support the process. The broad goal of this approach is to be able to standardize and replicate the identified best practices in every location across a health system.

Free heart failure clinic aims to cut readmissions

Mountain State Health Alliance opened a free heart failure clinic after determining that patients' inability to get a timely follow-up appointment and financial issues were the cause of many readmissions. The clinic is in a convenient location, across the street from the hospital. The nurse practitioner who runs the program sees many of the patients while they are still in the hospital to inform them about the clinic. Interventions include help signing up for medication assistance, education for patients and family members, and ongoing support.

Hypothalamic obesity: prevalence, associations and longitudinal trends in weight in a specialist adult neuroendocrine clinic

OBJECTIVE

Obesity is highly prevalent among adults with acquired, structural hypothalamic damage. We aimed to determine hormonal and neuroanatomical variables associated with weight gain and obesity in patients following hypothalamic damage and to evaluate the impact of early instigation of weight loss measures to prevent or limit the severity of obesity in these patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of 110 adults with hypothalamic tumours attending a specialist neuroendocrine clinic. BMI was calculated at diagnosis and at last follow-up clinic visit. Endocrine data, procedures, treatments and weight loss measures were recorded and all available brain imaging reviewed.

RESULTS

At last follow-up, 82.7% of patients were overweight or heavier (BMI≥25 kg/m(2)), 57.2% were obese (BMI≥30 kg/m(2)) and 14.5% were morbidly obese (BMI≥40 kg/m(2)). Multivariate analysis revealed that use of desmopressin (odds ratio (OR)=3.5; P=0.026), GH (OR=2.7; P=0.031) and thyroxine (OR=3.0; P=0.03) was associated with development of new or worsened obesity. Neuroimaging features were not associated with weight gain. Despite proactive treatments offered in clinic in recent years (counselling, dietetic and physical activity advice, and anti-obesity medications), patients have continued to gain weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite increased awareness, hypothalamic obesity is difficult to prevent and to treat. Improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiologies and multicentre collaboration to examine efficacy of novel obesity interventions are warranted.

How satisfied are hospital systems with their ownership of retail clinics?

Retail clinics--while innovative--can no longer be considered a new model of healthcare delivery, as an increasing number of hospitals and health systems now own them. The purpose of this article is to explore the extent to which hospital systems are satisfied with their ownership of retail clinics. In terms of operational challenges, respondents to our survey, administered to representatives from 19 health systems, were relatively satisfied with clinic staffing and their relationship with the retailers regarding lease terms, store locations, and shopper demographics. They expressed mostly neutral levels of satisfaction with regulations and laws related to retail clinics and low satisfaction with insurance reimbursement and clinics' seasonal patterns. The two areas that received the lowest respondent satisfaction ratings were patient volume and response to marketing initiatives. When asked to share their perceptions of their organization's satisfaction with various strategic aspects of retail clinic ownership, respondents revealed that the clinics were achieving several important strategic goals, such as improved access, increased referrals, defense against competitors, and increased brand exposure. They indicated overall dissatisfaction with profitability and cost-reduction outcomes. We conclude that serious operational challenges and strategic threats must be overcome if retail clinics are to be a successful service line for hospitals and health systems.

Competition among Turkish hospitals and its effect on hospital efficiency and service quality

The level of competition among hospitals in Turkey was analyzed for the years 1990 through 2006 using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). Multiple and simple regression analyses were run to observe the development of competition among hospitals over this period of time, to examine likely determinants of competition, and to calculate the effects of competition on efficiency and quality in individual hospitals. This study found that the level of competition among hospitals in Turkey has increased throughout the years. Also, competition has had a positive effect on the efficiency of hospitals; however, it did not have a significant positive effect on their quality. Moreover, there are important differences in the level of competition among hospitals that vary according to the geographical region, the type of ownership, and the type of hospital. This study is one of the first to evaluate the effects of health policies on competition as well as the effects of increasing competition on hospital quality and efficiency in Turkey.

Characterization, risk stratification and the hypertension control rate at hospital-based clinics: a survey of 25,336 hypertensives in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou

OBJECTIVE

To characterize hypertensive patients living in metropolitan cities in China.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The eligibility criteria included outpatients 35-85 years of age with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥140 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of ≥90 mmHg or both and/or patients receiving antihypertensive medications. The patients' demographic characteristics, medical history and findings of physical examinations, laboratory tests and cardiovascular imaging (i.e., ultrasonic cardiogram) were included in the survey. Risk stratification and the rate of hypertension control were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 25,336 individuals were surveyed, of which 79.1% were from cardiology clinics and 51.8% were male hypertensives. The average SBP/DBP was 139.3±18.6/82.3±12.0 mmHg. The mean age was 63.6±11.5 years. The mean BMI was 25.1±3.8 kg/m(2). Among the men, 55.9% had a waist circumference of >90 cm. Among the women, 50.9% had a waist circumference of >85 cm. The percentages of patients with diabetes mellitus, heart disease and cerebral vascular disease were 20.3%, 39.2% and 10.4%, respectively. The smoking rate was 17.6%. Overall, 60.9% of the patients were in the very high risk group. While 97.7% of the patients were receiving antihypertensive drug therapy, only 40.2% had controlled SBP/DBP (i.e., under 140/90 mmHg). The control rate was statistically higher in Beijing and Shanghai than in Guangzhou and among older patients than among younger patients (43% among the patients >75 years of age vs. 28.1% among the patients 35-45 years of age).

CONCLUSION

In Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, most hypertensive patients have various cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. High blood pressure is not under appropriate control in all cases, especially among young hypertensives and patients living in Guangzhou city. Approaches designed to target multiple risk factors and concomitant cardiovascular diseases and boost the hypertension control rate are warranted.

Conceptual models for integrating palliative care at cancer centers

Palliative care programs are rapidly evolving in acute care facilities. Increased and earlier access has been advocated for patients with life-threatening illnesses. Existing programs would need major growth to accommodate the increased utilization. The objective of this review is to provide an update on the current structures, processes, and outcomes of the Supportive and Palliative Care Program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC), and to use the update as a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities in integrating palliative and supportive services in a tertiary care cancer center. Our interprofessional program consists of a mobile consultation team, an acute palliative care unit, and an outpatient supportive care clinic. We will discuss various metrics including symptom outcomes, quality of end-of-life care, program growth, and financial issues. Despite the growing evidence to support early palliative care involvement, referral to palliative care remains heterogeneous and delayed. To address this issue, we will discuss various conceptual models and practical recommendations to optimize palliative care access.

[Experience of surgical hospitalshort-stay in multidisciplinary outpatient clinics]

This article describes the experience of creation and the results of the two-year-old surgical hospital (short stay) capacity of 18 beds on the basis of multioutpatient clinics. Standards of examination and treatment of patients are shortly characterized. The information about 1544 patients treated, the structure made of surgical interventions and their outcomes.

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2007 outpatient department summary

OBJECTIVES

This report describes ambulatory care visits to hospital outpatient departments (OPDs) in the United States. Statistics are presented on selected hospital, patient, and visit characteristics. Selected trends in OPD utilization from 1997 through 2007, as well as items new to the 2007 survey, are presented.

METHODS

The data presented in this report were collected in the 2007 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a national probability sample survey of visits to emergency departments and OPDs of nonfederal short-stay and general hospitals in the United States. Sample data were weighted to produce annual national estimates.

RESULTS

During 2007, an estimated 88.9 million visits were made to hospital OPDs in the United States: about 30.0 visits per 100 persons. Females (36.7 per 100 persons) had higher OPD visit rates than males (23.0 visits per 100 persons). Black or African-American persons (58.4 visits per 100 persons) had higher OPD visit rates than white persons (26.5 visits per 100 persons). Visit rates to OPD clinics for preventive care were highest for children under 1 year of age (39.4 per 100 persons). About a third of all OPD visits (33.2%) were made by patients having Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as an expected source of payment. Medicaid or SCHIP was the source of payment for more than half (56.3%) of OPD visits made by children under age 18. The rate of preventive care visits for patients with Medicaid or SCHIP as an expected source of payment (23.1 per 100 persons) was at least four times higher than for patients having other payment sources (3.3-4.9 per 100 persons). About 82.9% of visits were made by established patients and 17.1% were made by new patients. In 2007, visits to OPDs by new and established patients averaged 5.9 visits during the past 12 months. Essential hypertension was the leading primary diagnosis at OPD visits. Moderate to severe blood pressure elevations were seen more frequently in visits by non-Hispanic or non-Latino patients than Hispanic patients and in visits by black patients compared with white patients.

Effects of a nurse-based heart failure clinic on drug utilization and admissions in a community hospital setting

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a nurse-led heart failure clinic on drug therapy and hospitalization in a community hospital setting.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study of outpatients referred to a heart failure clinic. Nurses directed drug uptitration and delivered patient education. Utilization and doses of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers were analyzed as were heart failure related admissions in the years before and after establishing the clinic.

RESULTS

138 patients (median age 68.5 years) were enrolled. After three months 94% of patients were taking an ACE inhibitor and beta-blockade was prescribed for 91%. Mean ACE inhibitor dose relative to target dose after three months was 77+/-30% and mean beta-blocker dose was 53+/-31% of the target dose. Heart failure admissions decreased by 45% after the clinic was established.

CONCLUSIONS

Community hospital based heart failure clinics may promote utilization of evidence based drug therapy and cause a substantial decrease in heart failure admissions, producing results comparable to those obtained in studies of university hospital based heart failure management programs.

[Improving the activity of the inpatient departments of tuberculosis facilities]

The state-of-the-art of care given in the inpatient departments of tuberculosis facilities (TF) in the Kemerovo Region is analyzed. Large municipal TFs have been reorganized as interregional ones with their adjacent areas being assigned. Indications for hospitalization have been formulated. Continuous supply with antituberculous drugs (ATDs) is ensured. Strict monitoring of the use of each dose of ATDs has been made. Schools for tuberculosis patients have been set up. The posts of a psychologist and a social worker have been introduced. Compulsory hospitalization of bacteria-excreting patients is used by the decision of the court. As a result of the work done, queue to be admitted to the TFs of the Kemerovo Region has been eliminated; the treatment time has been optimized. The informative value of simple sputum smear microscopy against acid-resistant mycobacteria has significantly increased. The rate of premature treatment discontinuity has reduced. The efficiency of inpatient treatment has enhanced.

Improvement in diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions with one-stop clinic-based ultrasonography

We evaluated the impact of clinic-based musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) on diagnosis and management of cases as seen in day-to-day rheumatology practice. Data were retrieved for demography, background condition, clinical findings, indications, regions scanned, and outcomes of MSUS, and categorised as: new-patients and follow-up. New-patient records were analysed as to whether MSUS had helped to confirm or change clinical diagnosis or was of no additional help. In follow-ups, we determined whether MSUS had helped in disease assessment, detection of co-existing problems or revision of diagnosis. Its impact on treatment decisions was noted. A total of 237 patients (146 women; mean age 55.9+/-17.2 years) had 264 regions scanned; hands,50.7%. In 78/237 (32.9%) there was disagreement between clinical and MSUS findings. Amongst new-patients (72), 13/39 (33.3%) referred with inflammatory arthritis had no MSUS evidence of inflammation in or around joints. In 76.3% it helped in confirming or changing diagnosis. Of the follow-ups (165), in 78.7%, 13.9% and 7.2% it helped in assessment, detection of co-existing problems and revision of diagnosis, respectively. MSUS influenced treatment in 45/165 (27.27%) cases. In 60/67 (89.55%) cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it was done for disease assessment; in 31/60 (51.66%) it influenced treatment. MSUS, as a clinic-based service in rheumatology, has significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of patients. This has potential to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and follow-up visits and ensure better outcomes.

Safety net hospital emergency departments: creating safety valves for non-urgent care

Hospital emergency departments (EDs) are caring for more patients, including those with non-urgent needs that could be treated in alternative, more cost-effective settings, such as a clinic or physician's office. According to findings from the Center for Studying Health System Change's 2007 site visits to 12 nationally representative metropolitan communities, many emergency departments at safety net hospitals--the public and not-for-profit hospitals that serve large proportions of low-income, uninsured and Medicaid patients--are attempting to meet patients' non-urgent needs more efficiently. Safety net EDs are working to redirect non-urgent patients to their hospitals' outpatient clinics or to community health centers and clinics, with varied results. Efforts to develop additional primary, specialty and dental care in community settings, along with promoting the use of these providers, could stem the use of emergency departments for non-urgent care, while increasing access to care, enhancing quality and containing costs.

[Depressive disorders in the context of biographical and historical changes--experiences within a psychiatric outpatient service]

OBJECTIVE

Conditions of human life, the personal and professional biographies of our patients and the medical development are subjected to continuous change. These transformations imply significant influences on the modalities of psychiatric treatment.

METHODS

Two cases of depressed patients born in 1905 and 1941, who were treated as inpatients for the first time in 1985 and 2004 and afterwards in the psychiatric outpatient department, are discussed against the background of their individual historical experience.

RESULTS

Biographical knowledge about the changing conditions of patients' life facilitates an understanding of their individual concerns and therefore enhances their compliance. The fast change in medical frameworks implies the danger of neglect in the impact and meaning of biographical aspects for psychiatric therapy.

Longitudinal changes of CSF biomarkers in memory clinic patients

OBJECTIVE

In Alzheimer disease (AD), longitudinal changes of beta-amyloid(1-42) (Abeta(1-42)), tau, and phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 (ptau-181) in CSF have been reported in small studies only. We evaluated the natural course of CSF biomarkers in patients with AD, subjective complaints, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS

One hundred five patients (50 AD, 38 MCI, 17 subjective complaints) underwent two lumbar punctures, with a mean interval of 21 +/- 9 months. CSF levels of Abeta(1-42), tau, and ptau-181 were measured.

RESULTS

CSF Abeta(1-42) and tau levels showed main effects for both diagnosis and time (all p < 0.05), with average increases of 47 +/- 72 and 49 +/- 143 pg/mL. The interaction terms were not significant, which implies a similar time effect for all diagnostic groups. CSF ptau-181 levels showed a main effect for diagnosis (p = 0.01) but not for time (p = 0.27, increase of 1.0 +/- 12 pg/mL).

CONCLUSION

Levels of CSF beta-amyloid(1-42) and tau but not phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 increased over time in this memory clinic patient cohort with comparable change in all diagnostic groups. The cross-sectional difference between diagnostic groups, however, exceeded by far the longitudinal changes within individuals, suggesting that these biomarkers are not sensitive as markers of disease progression.

Brief report: identifying a proxy for health care as part of routine medical inquiry

BACKGROUND

Physician-initiated advance care planning is desirable, effective, and routinely indicated for competent adult patients, but doctors are often reluctant to begin the necessary conversations.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether patients are willing and able to designate a surrogate for medical decision making, when asked to do so as part of routine medical inquiry.

DESIGN, PATIENTS, MEASUREMENTS

A survey asking patients to name a health care agent was designed and administered in the context of routine clinical care. Participants were drawn from a consecutive sample of 309 competent adult outpatients. Data were analyzed using ordinary descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Two hundred ninety-eight of 309 patients (response rate, 96%) completed the survey and were willing and able to specify a proxy for health care. One third of married participants did not choose their spouse as proxy.

CONCLUSIONS

Asking patients to identify a surrogate for medical decision making opens the door for ongoing individualized medical care planning in the context of ordinary patient-physician interaction. This approach is applicable to all competent adults. Documenting proxy choice protects a patient's wishes and preferences until more definitive planning is accomplished.

Improvement of diabetic care at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital (the study of Diabcare-Asia from 1997 to 2003)

Diabcare-Asia, the largest, multicenter observational study in Asia, surveyed the status of diabetic control among Asian diabetics, including Thais. Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital is a regional hospital in Northeast Thailand that participated in Diabcare-Asia. In 1997, 1998 and 2003, the authors recruited 200, 100, 204 diabetic patients for analysis, respectively. Most (93 per cent) of the patients had type 2 diabetes. In the present study, patients with a BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 increased from 38, 45 and 47 percent in 1997, 1998 and 2003, respectively. Annual check-ups for diabetic complications increased to nearly 100 per cent by 2003; however, only 72 per cent were examined for diabetic retinopathy, but that number is up from the 33 per cent in 1997. In the present study, diabetic retinopathy was detected in 8, 16 and 25 per cent of patients, respectively. Diabetic nephropathy (urine albumin > or = 1 + by urine strip) decreased from approximately 50 per cent in 1997/98 to 19 per cent in 2003. Patients were able to achieve the target blood sugar better than in the past. The number of patients with HbA1c < 7 per cent and FPG < or = 130 mg/dL was 8, 21, 38 and 30, 39 and 40 per cent in 1997, 1998 and 2003, respectively. The proportion of patients who achieved the American Diabetic Association blood pressure, total cholesterol and LDL-C targets in 2004 was < 50 per cent. In conclusion, the present study showed the improvement of diabetic control at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital between 1997 and 2003. A similar hospital-based diabetic care system should be implemented at other Thai hospitals for the early identification and prevention of diabetic complications in the future.

Outpatient prescription of oral antibiotics in a training hospital in Turkey: trends in the last decade

AIM

The aim was to evaluate the changing trends in outpatient prescription of oral antibiotic forms at a Training Hospital in the last decade.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

All the outpatient prescriptions during April and May 2004 were evaluated. The diagnosis, the department of the prescriber, the count and generic name of each prescribed antibiotic were all noted.

RESULTS

Of the 33,491 outpatient prescripitions, 14.9% included antibiotic (n=5004). The pediatric clinics (26.4%), Ear, Nose and Throat department (13.7%), and the department of Gyneacology and Obstetrics (10.8%) were the leading departments in antibiotic prescriptions. Upper respiratory tract infections (45.4%), urinary tract infection (11.4%) and lower respiratory tract infections (4.2%) shared the first lines of diagnosis stated. Of the antibiotic prescriptions, 96.3% included oral forms. Co-amoxiclav (26.4%), quinolones (11.7%) and cephalosporins (16.5%) were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics. Percent of antibiotic prescriptions based on microbial sensitivity test results was 7.1%.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the results of the study carried out 11 years ago; though co-amoxiclav is still the most frequently prescribed antibiotic, many other changes have been observed in antibiotic prescription attitudes.

Improvement of blood pressure control in a hypertension clinic: a 10-year follow-up study

The objective of the study was to assess whether the publication of new guidelines, such as JNC VI 1997 and WHO/ISH 1999, and the development of new antihypertensive drugs have improved blood pressure (BP) control. A total of 150 patients (age 29-88, mean 66+/-11 years in 2001) who were followed at our hypertension clinic during 1991-2001 were retrospectively investigated. We compared the clinical characteristics of the patients in 2001 to those in 1991 and 1996, using the averaged BP determined at two occasions each year for our analysis. The average BP decreased during the 10 years between 1991 and 2001. When good BP control was defined as <140/90 mmHg, the rate of patients with good BP control increased from 31% in 1991 to 43% in 1996, and to 57% in 2001 (P<0.001 vs 1991). Both younger (< or =64 years) and older (> or =65 years) patients showed similar improvement during these 10 years. In 2001, satisfactory BP control (<130/85 mmHg) was achieved in 24% of younger patients, which was significantly higher than the achievement in 1991 (10%, P=0.02). This improvement occurred at the same time as an increase in the prescription of Ca antagonists and angiotensin II antagonist. The patients with improved BP control during these 10 years (n=50) showed lower body mass index (BMI) and serum total cholesterol levels in 2001 compared to persistently uncontrolled patients (n=54). Furthermore, the change in BMI during these 10 years was significantly less in the patients with improved BP control than in the persistently uncontrolled patients. In conclusion, BP control improved in the 10 years studied, and it seems to be attributable to the more frequent use of the newer drugs such as angiotensin II antagonists and Ca antagonists, to lifestyle modification and also to the growth in awareness of the importance of strict BP control.