Endovascular Aorto-Iliac Reconstruction vs. Aortobifemoral Bypass as First Choice for a Durable Revascularization for Aorto-Iliac Occlusive Disease

INTRODUCTION

Aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) is defined as atherosclerotic obstruction of the distal abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. Multiple options exist for management of AIOD including endovascular aortoiliac reconstruction and aortobifemoral bypass. As new technologies are developed, the best approach to manage this condition is evolving.

METHODS

We performed a literature review to assess the current state of endovascular aortoiliac reconstruction and aortobifemoral bypass as options for revascularization of aortoiliac occlusive disease.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular aortoiliac reconstruction and aortobifemoral bypass are both feasible and clinically effective options for management of aortoiliac occlusive disease. No randomized controlled trial has been performed to show one option to be more effective than the other. Recent literature demonstrates comparable long-term patency, limb salvage and survival among endovascular approaches to the treatment of AIOD with quicker recovery, lower costs and improved quality of life when compared to open aortobifemoral bypass (ABF) surgery. Selection of procedure should be tailored to the individual patient in order to develop an effective long-term successful strategy for management of aortoiliac occlusive disease. Further study is warranted to define durability of these endovascular approaches as well as patient specific characteristics that influence outcomes.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Surgical Residents

Importance

Medical malpractice litigation against surgical residents is rarely discussed owing to assumed legal doctrine of respondeat superior, or "let the master answer."

Objective

To better understand lawsuits targeting surgical trainees to prevent future litigation.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Westlaw, an online legal research database containing legal records from across the United States, was retrospectively reviewed for malpractice cases involving surgical interns, residents, or fellows from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2015. Infant-related obstetric and ophthalmologic procedures were excluded.

Exposures

Involvement in a medical malpractice case.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Data were collected on patient demographics, case characteristics, and outcomes and were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

During a 10-year period, 87 malpractice cases involving surgical trainees were identified. A total of 50 patients were female (57%), and 79 were 18 years of age or older (91%), with a median patient age of 44.5 years (interquartile range, 45-56 years). A total of 67 cases (77%) resulted in death or permanent disability. Most cases involved elective surgery (61 [70%]) and named a junior resident as a defendant (24 of 35 [69%]). Cases more often questioned the perioperative medical knowledge, decision making errors, and injuries (53 [61%]: preoperative, 19 of 53 [36%]) and postoperative, 34 of 53 [64%]) than intraoperative errors and injuries (43 [49%]). Junior residents were involved primarily with lawsuits related to medical decision making (21 of 24 [87%]). Residents' failure to evaluate the patient was cited in 10 cases (12%) and lack of direct supervision by attending physicians was cited in 48 cases (55%). A total of 42 cases (48%) resulted in a jury verdict or settlement in favor of the plaintiff, with a median payout of $900 000 (range, $1852 to $32 million).

Conclusions and Relevance

This review of malpractice cases involving surgical residents highlights the importance of perioperative management, particularly among junior residents, and the importance of appropriate supervision by attending physicians as targets for education on litigation prevention.

Hybrid endovascular exclusion of a bleeding innominate artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with no open surgical options

Mycotic pseudoaneurysms (MPs) rarely affect the aortic arch vessels and usually require surgical resection for definitive treatment. In this case, a 58-year-old woman developed a bleeding innominate artery MP after primary lung cancer resection complicated by an infected chest wound. Because of her previous surgery, irradiation, and chest wall reconstruction, she was not a candidate for open resection. A hybrid endovascular approach successfully excluded her innominate artery MP through placement of an aortic arch stent graft. Cerebral circulation was maintained through a periscoped left common carotid artery stent graft to the descending thoracic aorta graft, which supplied a left-to-right carotid-carotid bypass.

Enhanced readability of discharge summaries decreases provider telephone calls and patient readmissions in the posthospital setting

INTRODUCTION

Hospital discharge instructions provide critical information necessary for patients to manage their own care; however, often they are written at a substantially higher readability level than recommended (ie, 6th-grade level) by the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health. We hypothesize that improving the reading level of discharge instructions will decrease the number of patient telephone calls and readmissions in the posthospital setting.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study. Patient discharge instructions were edited and incorporated to enhance the readability level in August 2015. Return telephone call and readmissions of patients admitted before the intervention from August 1, 2014, to January 31, 2015, were compared with the prospective cohort studied from September 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 1,072 patients were included (preintervention: n = 493, postintervention: n = 579). Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and education level were similar among both groups. The median discharge instruction readability level in the postintervention group was significantly lower (10.0, 95% CI 10.0-10.2 vs 8.6, 95% CI 8.8-8.9; P < .0001). The proportion of patients calling after hospital discharge was significantly reduced after the intervention (21.9% vs 9.0%; P < .0001). Monthly hospital readmissions were decreased by 50% for every 100 patients discharged after the intervention (1.9% vs 0.9%; P = .002). The proportion of patients calling and readmissions for poor pain control significantly decreased after the intervention (7.1% vs 2.59%; P = .0005 and 2.8% vs 1.0%; P = .029, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Enhanced readability of discharge instructions was associated with a decrease in the number of telephone calls and readmissions in the posthospital setting, enhancing health literacy and simultaneously reducing the burden on providers. Improved patient instructions written to an appropriate level may also allow for better pain control in the posthospital setting.

Endometriosis and adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes, a systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY QUESTION

How is endometriosis associated with adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Women with endometriosis are at elevated risk for serious and important adverse maternal (pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta praevia and Cesarean section) and fetal or neonatal outcomes (preterm birth, PPROM, small for gestational age, stillbirth and neonatal death).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

A number of studies have shown an association between endometriosis and certain adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, but the results have been conflicting with potential for confounding by the use of assisted reproductive technology.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (1 January 1990-31 December 2017) that evaluated the effect of endometriosis on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes was conducted.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Studies were considered for inclusion if they were prospective or retrospective cohort or case-control studies; included women greater than 20 weeks gestational age with endometriosis; included a control group of gravid women without endometriosis; and, reported at least one of the outcomes of interest. Each study was reviewed for inclusion, data were extracted and risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The search strategy identified 33 studies (sample size, n = 3 280 488) for inclusion. Compared with women without endometriosis, women with endometriosis had higher odds of pre-eclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18 [1.01-1.39]), gestational hypertension and/or pre-eclampsia (OR = 1.21 [1.05-1.39]), gestational diabetes (OR = 1.26 [1.03-1.55]), gestational cholestasis (OR = 4.87 [1.85-12.83]), placenta praevia (OR = 3.31 [2.37, 4.63]), antepartum hemorrhage (OR = 1.69 [1.38-2.07]), antepartum hospital admissions (OR = 3.18 [2.60-3.87]), malpresentation (OR = 1.71 [1.34, 2.18]), labor dystocia (OR = 1.45 [1.04-2.01]) and cesarean section (OR = 1.86 [1.51-2.29]). Fetuses and neonates of women with endometriosis were also more likely to have preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR = 2.33 [1.39-3.90]), preterm birth (OR = 1.70 [1.40-2.06]), small for gestational age <10th% (OR = 1.28 [1.11-1.49]), NICU admission (OR = 1.39 [1.08-1.78]), stillbirth (OR = 1.29 [1.10, 1.52]) and neonatal death (MOR = 1.78 [1.46-2.16]). Among the subgroup of women who conceived spontaneously, endometriosis was found to be associated with placenta praevia, cesarean section, preterm birth and low birth weight. Among the subgroup of women who conceived with the use of assisted reproductive technology, endometriosis was found to be associated with placenta praevia and preterm birth.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

As with any systematic review, the review is limited by the quality of the included studies. The diagnosis for endometriosis and the selection of comparison groups were not uniform across studies. However, the effect of potential misclassification would be bias towards the null hypothesis.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The association between endometriosis with the important and serious pregnancy outcomes observed in our meta-analysis, in particular stillbirth and neonatal death, is concerning and warrants further studies to elucidate the mechanisms for the observed findings.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Dr Shifana Lalani is supported by a Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation Research Grant, and Dr Innie Chen is supported by a University of Ottawa Clinical Research Chair in Reproductive Population Health and Health Services. Dr Singh declares conflicts of interests with Bayer, Abvie, Allergan and Cooper Surgical. All other authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42015013911.

Loop ileostomy versus total colectomy as surgical treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated disease: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter trial

OBJECTIVES

The mortality of patients with Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) requiring surgery continues to be very high. Loop ileostomy (LI) was introduced as an alternative procedure to total colectomy (TC) for CDAD by a single-center study. To date, no reproducible results have been published. The objective of this study was to compare these two procedures in a multicentric approach to help the surgeon decide what procedure is best suited for the patient in need.

METHODS

This was a retrospective multicenter study conducted under the sponsorship of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Demographics, medical history, clinical presentation, APACHE score, and outcomes were collected. We used the Research Electronic Data Capture tool to store the data. Mann-Whitney (continuous data) and Fisher exact (categorical data) were used to compare TC with LI. Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of mortality. A propensity score analysis was done to control for potential confounders and determine adjusted mortality rates by procedure type.

RESULTS

We collected data from 10 centers of patients who presented with CDAD requiring surgery between July 1, 2010 and July 30, 2014. Two patients died during the surgical procedure, leaving 98 individuals in the study. The overall mortality was 32%, and 75% had postoperative complications. Median age was 64.5 years; 59% were male. Concerning preoperative patient conditions, 54% were on pressors, 47% had renal failure, and 36% had respiratory failure. When comparing TC and LI, there was no statistical difference regarding these conditions. Univariate preprocedure predictors of mortality were age, lactate, timing of operation, vasopressor use, and acute renal failure. There was no statistical difference between the APACHE score of patients undergoing either procedure (TC, 22 vs LI, 16). Adjusted mortality (controlled for preprocedure confounders) was significantly lower in the LI group (17.2% vs 39.7%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first multicenter study comparing TC with LI for the treatment of CDAD. In this study, LI carried less mortality than TC. In patients without contraindications, LI should be considered for the surgical treatment of CDAD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level III.

Allegations of Failure to Obtain Informed Consent in Spinal Surgery Medical Malpractice Claims

Importance

Predictive factors associated with increased risk of medical malpractice litigation have been identified, including severity of injury, physician sex, and error in diagnosis. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating informed consent in spinal surgery malpractice.

Objective

To investigate the failure to obtain informed consent as an allegation in medical malpractice claims for patients undergoing a spinal procedure.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this retrospective cohort study, a national medicolegal database was searched for malpractice claim cases related to spinal surgery for all years available (ie, January 1, 1980, through December 31, 2015).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Failure to obtain informed consent and associated medical malpractice case verdict.

Results

A total of 233 patients (117 [50.4%] male and 116 [49.8%] female; 80 with no informed consent allegation and 153 who cited lack of informed consent) who underwent spinal surgery and filed a malpractice claim were studied (mean [SD] age, 47.1 [13.1] years in the total group, 45.8 [12.9] years in the control group, and 47.9 [13.3] years in the informed consent group). Median interval between year of surgery and year of verdict was 5.4 years (interquartile range, 4-7 years). The most common informed consent allegations were failure to explain risks and adverse effects of surgery (52 [30.4%]) and failure to explain alternative treatment options (17 [9.9%]). In bivariate analysis, patients in the control group were more likely to require additional surgery (45 [56.3%] vs 53 [34.6%], P = .002) and have more permanent injuries compared with the informed consent group (46 [57.5%] vs 63 [42.0%], P = .03). On multivariable regression analysis, permanent injuries were more often associated with indemnity payment after a plaintiff verdict (odds ratio [OR], 3.12; 95% CI, 1.46-6.65; P = .003) or a settlement (OR, 6.26; 95% CI, 1.06-36.70; P = .04). Informed consent allegations were significantly associated with less severe (temporary or emotional) injury (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28-0.97; P = .04). In addition, allegations of informed consent were found to be predictive of a defense verdict vs a plaintiff ruling (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17-0.98; P = .046) or settlement (OR, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.001-0.15; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

Lack of informed consent is an important cause of medical malpractice litigation. Although associated with a lower rate of indemnity payments, malpractice lawsuits, including informed consent allegations, still present a time, money, and reputation toll for physicians. The findings of this study can therefore help to improve preoperative discussions to protect spinal surgeons from malpractice claims and ensure that patients are better informed.

Medical Malpractice in Bariatric Surgery: a Review of 140 Medicolegal Claims

OBJECTIVE

Given the current rate of obesity in the USA, it has been estimated that close to half of the US adult population could be obese by 2030, resulting in greater demand for bariatric procedures. Our objective was to analyze malpractice litigation related to bariatric surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of Westlaw (Thompson Reuters) of all bariatric operations that resulted in the filing of a malpractice claim. Each case was reviewed for pertinent medicolegal information related to the procedure, claim, and trial.

RESULTS

The search criteria yielded 298 case briefs, of which 140 met inclusion criteria. Thirty-two percent (n = 49) of cases involved male plaintiffs (patients). Mean patient age with standard deviation (SD) was 43 (10) years. The most common procedure litigated was the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (76 %, n = 107). Overall, the most common alleged reason for a malpractice claim was delay in diagnosis or management of a complication in the postoperative period (n = 66, 47 %), the most common of which was an anastomotic leak (45 %, n = 34). Death was reported in 74 (52 %) cases. Fifty-seven cases (47 %) were decided in favor of the plaintiff (patient), with a median award payout of $1,090,000 (interquartile range [IQR] $412,500 to $2,550,000).

CONCLUSION

Delay in diagnosing or managing complications in the postoperative setting, most commonly an anastomotic leak, accounted for the majority of malpractice claims. Measures taken to identify and address anastomotic leaks and other complications early in the postoperative period could potentially reduce the amount of filed malpractice claims related to bariatric surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Pylephlebitis: a Review of 95 Cases

Pylephlebitis, or suppurative thrombophlebitis of the portal mesenteric venous system occurring in the setting of abdominal inflammatory processes, is a rare but deadly disease commonly associated with diverticulitis. We review our institutional experience in the management of patients with this condition. A retrospective review of medical records from 2002 to 2012 was performed. Patients with a portal mesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) within 30 days of an intra-abdominal inflammatory process were identified and evaluated. Ninety-five patients were included. The mean patient age at presentation was 57 years (range, 24-88). The most common associated processes were pancreatitis (31 %), followed by diverticulitis (19 %). Bacteremia was noted in 34 (44 %) patients. The most common organism cultured was Streptococcus viridans. Antibiotic and anticoagulation therapy was given in 86 (91 %) and 78 (82 %) patients, respectively. Overall, we report an 11 % mortality rate. Albeit rare, pylephlebitis most commonly was manifested in the setting of pancreatitis. Treatment should be individualized to culture results and extent of thrombosis. If diagnosed early and managed appropriately, a favorable outcome is possible.

Readability of discharge summaries: with what level of information are we dismissing our patients?

BACKGROUND

We assessed the health literacy of trauma discharge summaries and hypothesize that they are written at higher-than-recommended grade levels.

METHODS

The Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL) and Flesch reading ease scores (FRES), 2 universally accepted scales for evaluating readability of medical information, were used.

RESULTS

A total of 497 patients were included. The mean patient age was 56 ± 22 years. Average FKGL and FRES were 10 ± 1 and 44 ± 7, including 132 summaries classified as very or fairly difficult to read. A total of 204 (65%) patients had functional reading skills at grade levels below the FKGL of their dismissal note; only 74 patients (24%) had the reading skills to adequately comprehend their dismissal summary. Total 30-day readmissions were 40, 65% of whom were patients with inadequate literacy for dismissal summary comprehension.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient discharge notes are written at too advanced of an educational level. To ensure patient comprehension, dismissal notes should be rewritten to a 6th-grade level.

Long-term outcomes of gastrografin in small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND

The gastrografin (GG) challenge is a diagnostic and therapeutic tool used to treat patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO); however, long-term data on SBO recurrence after the GG challenge remain limited. We hypothesized that patients treated with GG would have the same long-term recurrence as those treated before the implementation of the GG challenge protocol.

METHODS

Patients ≥18 years who were treated for SBO between July 2009 and December 2012 were identified. We excluded patients with contraindications to the GG challenge (i.e., signs of strangulation), patients having SBO within 6-wk of previous abdominal or pelvic surgery and patients with malignant SBO. All patients had been followed a minimum of 1 y or until death. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models were used to describe the time-dependent outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 202 patients were identified of whom 114 (56%) received the challenge. Mean patients age was 66 y (range, 19-99 y) with 110 being female (54%). A total of 184 patients (91%) were followed minimum of 1 year or death (18 patients lost to follow-up). Median follow-up of living patients was 3 y (range, 1-5 y). During follow-up, 50 patients (25%) experienced SBO recurrences, and 24 (12%) had exploration for SBO recurrence. The 3-year cumulative rate of SBO recurrence in patients who received the GG was 30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21%-42%) compared to 27% (95% CI, 18%-38%) for those who did not (P = 0.4). The 3-year cumulative rate of exploration for SBO recurrence in patients who received the GG was 15% (95% CI, 8%-26%) compared to 12 % (95% CI, 6%-22%) for those who did not (P = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The GG challenge is a clinically useful tool in treating SBO patients with comparable long-term recurrence rates compared to traditional management of SBO.

Uncovering malpractice in appendectomies: a review of 234 cases

BACKGROUND

General surgery is a "high-risk specialty" with respect to medical malpractice rates, and appendicitis is one of the most common diagnoses encountered by practitioners. Our objectives were to detail issues affecting malpractice litigation regarding appendicitis and appendectomies, including outcomes, awards, alleged causes of malpractice, and other factors instrumental in determining legal responsibility and increasing patient safety.

STUDY DESIGN

Publically available federal and state court records were examined for pertinent jury verdict and settlement reports. Information from 234 pertinent cases was collected, including alleged causes of malpractice and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 234 cases included in this study, the most common factor noted was an alleged delay in diagnosis (67.1%), followed by intraoperative negligence (16.2%). Alleged deficits in informed consent, although only specifically cited as a cause of malpractice in 1.3% of cases, were found to be an important aspect of many cases. In total, 59.8% of cases were ruled in favor of the physician, 23.7% in favor of the plaintiff, and 5.5% reached a settlement. The average plaintiff award was US $794,152, and the average settlement award was US $1,434,286.

CONCLUSION

An important strategy to decrease liability in a physician's practice is prompt evaluation of an appendicitis patient. An integral part of this is efficient communication between physicians practicing a wide variety of specialties, especially including practitioners in emergency medicine and general surgery. Additionally, completing a thorough informed consent explaining all aspects of the procedure including the factors we outline will not only increase patient awareness of potential risks but also protect the physician in the face of litigation.

Pituitary tumor apoplexy in patients with Cushing's disease: endocrinologic and visual outcomes after transsphenoidal surgery

Pituitary apoplexy in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) producing tumors is a rare occurrence. We report four patients with Cushing's disease harboring ACTH-secreting macroadenomas who presented with pituitary apoplexy. We report the endocrinologic and visual outcomes of these patients after emergent transsphenoidal surgery. A retrospective chart review was performed in 4 patients who presented with pituitary apoplexy from hemorrhage into an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma. The patient charts were reviewed for clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, intraoperative surgical findings, pathologic findings, and postoperative endocrinologic and visual outcomes. All patients presented with acute headaches, nausea, vomiting, and visual loss from optic compression. MR imaging demonstrated a hemorrhagic macroadenoma that was confirmed at surgery. All patients underwent emergent transsphenoidal decompression (within 24 h of presentation). One of these underwent an additional craniotomy to resect residual tumor. Postoperatively, all patients showed significant improvement in visual acuity and visual fields with biochemical remission confirmed on laboratory testing. Significant weight loss as well as resolution of diabetes and hypertension was noted in all cases. All four patients remained in biochemical remission at their most recent follow-up visit (mean 40 months, range: 24-72 months). Excellent endocrine and visual outcomes can be achieved after emergent transsphenoidal surgery in patients with Cushing's disease presenting with pituitary apoplexy. Although the cure rates of non-apoplectic ACTH macroadenomas are generally poor, higher rates of remission can be achieved in cases of pituitary apoplexy. This may be partly due to the effects of tumor infarction.

Characteristics, risk factors, and treatment practices of known adult hypertensive patients in saudi arabia

Objective. To determine the prevalence, risk factors, characteristics, and treatment practices of known adult hypertensives in Saudi Arabia. Methods. Cross-sectional community-based study using the WHO stepwise approach. Saudi adults were randomly chosen from Primary Health Care Centers catchment areas. Data was collected using a questionnaire which included sociodemographic data, history of hypertension, risk factors, treatment practices, biochemical and anthropometric measurements. Collected data was cheeked, computer fed, and analysed using SPSS V17. Results. Out of 4719 subjects (99.2% response), 542 (11.5%) subjects were known hypertensives or detected by health workers in the past 12 months. Hypertension was significantly associated with age, gender, geographical location, education, employment, diabetes, physical inactivity, excess body weight, and ever smoking. Multiple logistic analysis controlling for age showed that significant predictors of hypertension were diabetes mellitus, ever smoking, obesity, and hypercholesteremia. Several treatment modalities and practices were significantly associated with gender, age, education, and occupation. About 74% were under prescribed treatment by physicians, 62% on dietary modification, 37% attempted weight reduction, 27% performed physical exercise, and less than 7% used herbs, consulted traditional healers or quitted smoking. Income was not significantly associated with any treatment modality or patient practices. Conclusion. Hypertension (known and undetected) is a major chronic health problem among adults in Saudi Arabia. Many patients' practices need changes. A comprehensive approach is needed to prevent, early detect, and control the disease targeting, the risk factors, and predictors identified.

Hajj-associated acute respiratory infection among hajjis from Riyadh

A prospective cohort study was conducted to estimate the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) among hajjis registered at primary health care centres of Riyadh. Out of 1027 hajjis, 39.8% developed symptoms of ARI. The incidence of ARI was not statistically significantly associated with age, sex, educational status or smoking. The risk of illness was significantly higher among diabetics, hajjis who stayed longer in the hajj area and who prayed at Namera mosque. Use of a facemask by men, but not use of a facecover by women, was a significant protective factor against ARI.

Knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards AIDS among educated youth in Lahore, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding AIDS among educated young people in Lahore, Pakistan.

METHODS

An anonymous survey of 733 males and 355 females was carried out using structured questionnaire among educated youth, selected randomly from non-medical educational institutions and work places.

RESULTS

Knowledge on exsistance of AIDS in Pakistan was expressed by 698 (95.2%) males and 273 (76.9%) females, in, while only 189 (25.7%) males and 76 (21.4%) females knew its cause. Knowledge of the different modes of transmission was good, however 59%, 48%, 68% and 43% males; 28%, 45%, 59% and 35% females believed that it could be transmitted through sharing of utensils, mouth kissing, casual contact and mosquito bite, respectively. Ninety one percent males and 86% females believed that AIDS sufferers should be isolated. Extra marital sex was experienced by 6% subjects and only 5% used condoms. Generally, males had better knowledge than females except in attitudes towards monogamy and having sex with someone known.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed gaps in the knowledge of females regarding AIDS and its transmission. The results indicates an urgent need to include health education syllabi emphasising AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the Curriculum of schools/colleges to convey the message adequately to the youth.

Factors influencing the prescribing patterns in acute watery diarrhoea

Two hundred sixty-two randomly sampled general physicians of Lahore were interviewed to study the current practices and factors affecting the management of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) in children below 5 years of age. Among the physicians, 19% prescribed ORS alone, 61% ORS with some drug, 15% drugs alone and 5% increased fluid intake only. Physicians in government sector, recent graduates and those trained in a paediatrics unit prescribed more on the WHO guidelines (p<0.05). Attending a diarrhoea training unit (DTU) course, reading WHO guidelines for management of diarrhoea and total number of patients seen daily had no significant effect on prescribing practices. Two hundred fifty-five (97%) physicians thought that majority of other physicians prescribed drugs for the management of acute watery diarrhoea to satisfy the mothers of the children, their belief in the effectiveness of drugs and competition in practice.