Responding to COVID19 in France

While it is hard to predict what will have happened by the time of the conference, this round table will be tightly templated and coordinated. Each speaker will briefly address the challenges experienced by that country and the actions taken, and focus on explaining why those actions happened in order to draw comparative lessons about public health politics and governance.

[Assessment of quality of life for home ventilated patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy]

A social and psychological survey was conducted for patients with DMD submitted to home mechanical ventilation for more than one year. Thirty six were tracheostomized and 16 were using non invasive ventilation. Fifty two patients were recruited: 36 were tracheostomized and 16 were using non invasive ventilation. Mean age was 25 +/- 5 years. In the two groups: 1- the main disagreement was air leaking and cutaneous erosions. 2- when present, headache, dyspnea, sleep troubles and general fatigue were improved by mechanical ventilation. 3- ventilation was considered as improving health but with an increasing of dependencies. 4- Majors disappointment are sexual life (70 percent) and physical status (40 percent) but patients spent more than half time with positive feeling (92 percent). There was no difference between satisfaction evaluation and type of ventilation. Home ventilated patients with DMD have positive assessment of satisfaction. Despite technical disagreement as air leaking, patients feel an improvement of their life and advise other DMD to use early home ventilation.

A randomized, controlled trial of kangaroo mother care: results of follow-up at 1 year of corrected age

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for infants of low birth weight.

METHODS

An open, randomized, controlled trial of a Colombian social security referral hospital was conducted. A total of 1084 consecutive infants who were born at </=2000 g were followed, and 746 newborns were randomized when eligible for minimal care, with 382 to KMC and 364 to "traditional" care. Information on vital status was available for 693 infants (93%) at 12 months of corrected age. KMC consisted of skin-to-skin contact on the mother's chest 24 hours/day, nearly exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge, with close ambulatory monitoring. Control infants remained in incubators until the usual discharge criteria were met. Both groups were followed at term and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of corrected age. The main outcomes measured were morbidity, mortality, growth, development, breastfeeding, hospital stay, and sequelae.

RESULTS

Baseline variables were evenly distributed, except for weight at recruitment (KMC: 1678 g; control participants: 1713 g). The risk for death was lower among infants who were given KMC, although the difference was not significant (KMC: 11 [3.1%] of 339; control participants: 19 [5.5%] of 324; relative risk: 0.57; 95% confidence interval: 0.17-1.18). The growth index of head circumference was statistically significantly greater in the group given KMC, but the developmental indices of the 2 groups were similar. Infants who weighed </=1500 g at birth and were given KMC spent less time in the hospital than those who were given standard care. The number of infections was similar in the 2 groups, but the severity was less among infants who received KMC. More of these infants were breastfed until 3 months of corrected age.

CONCLUSION

These results support earlier findings of the beneficial effects of KMC on mortality and growth. Use of this technique would humanize the practice of neonatology, promote breastfeeding, and shorten the neonatal hospital stay without compromising survival, growth, or development.

[Osteoarticular disease in adults in France. A survey of 2000 persons]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Seeking for a global epidemiology data on bone and joint disease in adults in France, we analyzed the problems related to bone and joint disease in a sample population to determine healthcare needs. We also examined patient referral and demand for surgical care for bone and joint disease and the degree of patient satisfaction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A telephone interview was conducted in a randomly sampled population of adults living in France to determine their demographic characteristics and bone and joint conditions and surgical care reported by the interviewees. Before standardizing, the sample population in the 60-year and older group was increased in order to obtain more precise information concerning degenerative joint disease. The sample included 1000 persons aged under 60 years and another 1000 persons aged over 60 years. The sample populations were matched to the French population for sex and age distribution. One hundred personal face-to-face interviews were also conducted with 100 persons residing in a nursing home. The two surveys were conducted in June and July 1999.

RESULTS

Extrapolation of the data obtained to the French population yielded a total of 12 million adults affected by a bone and joint condition during the year preceding the survey. Considering both study samples, the most frequent localizations concerned the spine and the knees. The distribution of the other localizations was age and sex dependent. The percentage of trauma-induced conditions was 31%, predominantly in men under the age of 60 years and in institutionalized individuals. Extrapolation yielded a total of 5.4 million persons who had (or expected to have) a surgical intervention due to a bone and joint condition. The percentage of surgical treatment was highest for fractures (41%) and extravertebral osteoarthritis (18%). Extrapolation to the French population yielded 0.55 million persons aged over 60 years with a hip prosthesis and 0.27 million with a knee prosthesis. Seventy-six percent of the individuals who had undergone surgery for a conditions unrelated to trauma felt their quality of life had been improved. For those who had surgery for a trauma-induced condition, 85% considered they had minimal or no sequelae. Information provided by the surgeon concerning surgical care was thought to be insufficient by 23% of the operated individuals and 43% of those who had a joint prosthesis stated they had not been informed that their implant might be changed. Management of postoperative pain was thought to be insufficient by 36% of the operated individuals.

DISCUSSION

Due to the wide field of investigation and the methodology used to collect these data, our findings cannot be easily compared with other epidemiological data. They must be considered with caution due to the sampling bias of a telephone interview and also to the bias introduced by the simplified nosology scheme used for the questionnaire and the fact that no medical validation was performed. These data do however show that a large number of adults are concerned, notwithstanding conditions occurring before the age of 18 years with the frequency of accidents during childhood and adolescence. The data collected confirm the priorities set within the framework of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010.

[Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of adjustment disorder with anxiety in general practice]

Although Adjustment Disorder (AD) is considered a marginal diagnostic category by many clinicians and researchers, all the rare studies undertaken in the last decades indicate that the prevalence of this disorder is high in psychiatric settings, but has never been investigated in general practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current prevalence of Adjustment Disorders With Anxiety (ADWA) in primary care settings and to describe the characteristics of the population, nature of the stressors and management of the disorder by General Practitioners (GPs). This French study involved 78 random liberal GPs, in 7 distinct regions (Paris, Lille, Bordeaux, Rouen, Dijon, Castres and Compiègne). GPs had to register all the consecutive attenders over 18 years old. For each physician, the registration period was over when 200 patients were registered, or 10 days of consultation were completed, or when 5 MINI had been performed. The average study period was 10 days per physician. At the first stage, they selected all the patients with psychological complaints, which were eventually associated to physical complaints. At the second stage, only the patients whose complaints were linked to a psychosocial stressor and without A1 and/or A2 DSM IV criteria for a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) were proposed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The MINI is a brief structured clinical diagnostic interview that identifies the main axis-I DSM IV diagnoses in about 15 minutes. Before starting the study, all of the GPs participated in an intensive course on AD criteria recognition and were trained to use the MINI. The GPs registered a total of 7,759 consecutive patients. Twenty-two per cent (n = 1,719) of the patients reported psychological complaints, associated or not to physical complaints. Among them, 49% (n = 844) linked their complaints to identifiable psychosocial stressors. About half of the latter (n = 450) coded positive to A1 and/or A2 criteria for MDE. At the end, a total of 314 patients agreed to complete the MINI. Among the 1,719 patients with psychological complaints, the prevalence of ADWA eventually associated to other psychiatric disorders was 9.2%. The prevalence of "pure" ADWA was 4.5%. When considering the whole population of consecutive patients in primary care settings, the prevalence of pure ADWA was 1.0%. Patients suffering from pure ADWA were mostly women (66.7%), young patients (mean age: 42 years), with a professional activity. Patients had a psychiatric disorder history in 53.8% of the cases (mostly anxiety disorder). The main life events cited as being responsible for the disorder were work-associated problems (23.1%), followed by family illness (9.0%) and serious personal illness or accident (7.7%). The average duration of the disorder was 2.32 months. In 91% of the cases, GPs estimated that the patient required a pharmacological or psychological treatment. In most cases, they treated the patients with drug therapy (74.0%) associated with psychological support (counselling or psychotherapy, 76%). Anxiolytic agents were usually prescribed (64.9%), followed by antidepressants (10.8%) and hypnotics (8.1%). In conclusion, this first prevalence study of ADWA in general practice demonstrates that this disorder is frequent in primary care. It seems to be more present in patients who are of working age, especially women. ADWA would thus seem to preferentially affect active subjects. In most cases, GPs treat their patients with both psychological support and drug therapy. Anxiolytic is the elicited treatment of this disorder.

[Two-year follow-up of an opioid-user cohort treated with high-dose buprenorphine (Subutex)]

AIM OF THE STUDY

Care for opioid users changed greatly in France in 1996 when general practitioners (GP) were allowed to prescribe high-dose sublingual buprenorphine (Subutex((R))) for maintenance treatment of major opioid dependence. In order to evaluate treatment benefits, a prospective epidemiological 2-year follow-up was initiated in May 1996 with the participation of 105 French GPs.

METHODS

A cohort of outpatient opioid users who started high-dose sublingual buprenorphine maintenance therapy at study onset or who had recently started were included in a prospective epidemiological study by GPs involved in management of drug abusers. Patients were followed for 2 years with collection of standardized information at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The main evaluation criteria were follow-up by the same GP throughout the study and retention in the care system 2 years later. For patients who fulfilled these criteria, secondary end points were analyzed: information about buprenophine prescription, social status, and hepatitis B and C and HIV seroconversions.

RESULTS

The 101 GPs included 919 patients and 909 were analyzed 2 years later. At study onset, a majority of the patients (70.6%) were taking an ongoing maintenance treatment, 10.5% had previously received such a treatment and the treatment was initiated for 18.8%. At the end of the study, 508 patients (55.9%) were still being followed by the same GP and 101 (11.1%) were followed by another healthcare provider (another GP, hospital or specialized center). No information about the care giver was available for 82 patients (9%). Among the other patients, 123 (13.5%) were lost to follow-up, 24 (2.6%) had moved, 23 (2.6%) were incarcerated, 11 (1.2%) had successfully discontinued drug usage and 7 (0.8%) had died. Other reasons for unsuccessful follow-up by the same GP were mainly (for 6 patients each): relapse, switch to methadone, no medical information, non-compliance with scheduled controls. Among the patients followed by the same GP, declaration of heroin and drug intake significantly decreased (p<0.001), and social status (GAF scale) and TMSP evaluation significantly improved (p<0.001). The social situation (housing condition and work) also improved significantly (p<0.001). The rate of buprenorphine treatment was 84% with longer and less fractionated prescriptions. The HBV, HBC and HIV seroconversion rates were low in this high-risk population (2.7%, 4.1% and 0.8% respectively).

CONCLUSION

This two-year follow-up of 909 opioid users showed that nearly 70% of the patient remained within the healthcare system, mainly with the same GP or more rarely with another practitioner. Among the 508 patients still followed by the same GP, maintenance treatment with high-dose buprenorphine was observed in more than 80% of the patients. These patients had a significantly improved social status, a significant decrease in drug intake and a significant improvement in their social adaptation and severity of drug abuse.

Pregnancy-induced changes in lower extremity superficial veins: an ultrasound scan study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to follow changes in superficial veins of the lower extremities during pregnancy and the postpartum period in women with varicose veins.

METHODS

This was a prospective study with the use of duplex scanning during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum period. Competent veins were defined as veins with an absence of reflux, and incompetent veins were defined as veins with reflux. The diameter of the competent or incompetent greater saphenous vein (GSV) and lesser saphenous vein (LSV) was measured. The diameter of the largest varicose dilatations was measured in all three networks: GSV and its tributaries, LSV and its tributaries, and nonsaphenous varicose veins.

RESULTS

Sixty-six women were studied prospectively (mean age, 32.2 +/- 4 years; 85 affected extremities). The diameter of competent and incompetent GSVs and competent LSVs increased between the first and third trimester (P <.001) and decreased between the third trimester and the postpartum period (P <.001). The diameter of the largest varicose dilatations of the GSV and its tributaries and nonsaphenous networks increased between the first and third trimester (P <.001) and decreased between the third trimester and the postpartum period (P <.001). No statistically significant variation of the diameter was demonstrated for any of these veins between the first trimester and the postpartum period.

CONCLUSION

The diameters of competent and incompetent superficial veins increased during pregnancy and decreased during the postpartum period to return to their baseline values.

[Two years follow-up of a heroin users cohort treated with high dosage buprenorphine. Results of the SPESUB study (pharmacoepidemiologic follow-up of general practice Subutex)]

BACKGROUND

Since February 1996, French GPs are allowed to prescribe high dosage buprenorphine for maintenance treatment of major opioid drug addiction. A prospective cohort of major opioid addicts was initiated in order to assess patient outcomes: follow-up, retention rate in treatment, drug use, intravenous injection and social situation evolution.

METHODS

Each GP, known to be involved in drug user management, had to include the first 10 opioid drug addict patients to whom he prescribed high dosage buprenorphine, with a maximum inclusion period of 3 months. Patients were followed up for two years and a regular standardized information was collected (usual data on drug users and prescription modalities).

RESULTS

Between May and July 1996, 919 patients (664 men and 255 women, mean age: 30 years) were included by 101 GPs. They had a long and serious history of drug addiction, important parallel consumption of cocaine, codeine and other illicit drugs and psychiatric problems (28% of definite problems and 45% of probable) and frequent hepatic conditions (hepatitis B: 23%, hepatitis C: 21%). Two years later, 55% of patients were still followed-up by the same GP and an additional 12% were followed by another GP or in a health care service (hospitalized or receiving methadone in a specialized centre). 13% were not followed, but GPs were able to describe their situation. 8% had been included by GPs who had dropped the study. Finally, 12% of patients were lost to follow-up. Among the 508 patients still followed-up by the same GP after 2 years, the substitution treatment rate was 84%. The dosage bracket had widened (inclusion: mean dosage=7.8 mg +/-4.5, minimum=0.8, maximum=28, median=8; after 2 years: mean=7.6 mg +/-5.4, minimum=0.4, maximum=28, median=8) and the duration of the prescription and dispensing had increased. Declaration of heroin intake in the previous month had fell from 40% to 11% and declaration of drug intake from 53% to 20%. Social situation had improved on average (housing conditions and work). There were 12 seroconversions for hepatitis B, 21 for hepatitis C and 4 for HIV. 14% of patients had declared intravenous injection of high dosage buprenorphine in the previous month.

CONCLUSION

After two years of follow-up, 55% of patients were still followed-up by the same GP and an additional 12% was followed by another GP or in a health care service. Among patients still followed up by the same GP, a reduction of drug related harm (seroconversions for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV) was observed.

[Use of a structured diagnostic interview to identify depressive episodes in an epidemiologic study: a posteriori internal validation]

BACKGROUND

During these last years, many structured and standardized diagnostic interviews have been developed in order to identify psychiatric disorders in a standardized way. These tools enable a systematic investigation of these disorders according to international classifications. Their main drawback is to be long. To assess the care of depression, we used a shorter and more simple tool: the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to identify depressive subjects.

METHOD

The study was conducted in the Gazel cohort from the French National Electricity and Gas Company. A stratified sample of 2394 civil servants selected in order to over-represent depressive subjects was asked to answer to the MINI interview through a phone interview. An epidemiological and statistical analysis was performed to test the MINI internal validity: prevalence of depressive disorders using different threshold of diagnosis (number of symptoms required to identify someone as depressive), frequency of different symptoms, variability between investigators and potential biases.

RESULTS

Respondents to the phone interview (1108 civil servants) had more often presented depression markers for the last 5 years. Prevalence of depressive episodes changed little when we varied the threshold of diagnosis and did not stress any threshold problem. The variability between investigators was important, but the estimation of prevalence remained stable when we excluded extreme rates of prevalence. The choice of a classification system affected the prevalence estimation. Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) from the American Psychiatric Association, the prevalence of depressive episodes was lower and closer to the estimations shown in the literature than using the International Classification of Disease (ICD 10). Moreover, the stratification assigned very unbalanced weights to the stratification strata. By excluding depressive episodes observed in the stratum "control" (no depression "marker" from 1989 to 1994 in the database), the prevalence was very lower, whatever the classification was. Finally, factors which appeared linked to care of depression with the ICD definition remained the same when the DSM diagnosis definition was used, and relative risks were quite similar.

CONCLUSION

The MINI appears to be a short and simple tool, suited to the epidemiological studies. This analysis does not highlight any failure in the internal consistency of the MINI. The remaining question is what the MINI really measures, particularly comparing to a psychiatrist's diagnosis.

[Feasibility of drug use detection among individuals 15-25 years of age in community medicine]

The objective of this work is to study the feasibility of the detection of drug use or misused substances during a visit with a municipal doctor, and to describe the interrogatory strategies used spontaneously by doctors. One tenth of the clients aged 15-25 of the 26 participating doctors, (the majority of them men visiting the doctor for a psychological problem), showed a "warning" signal and were detected. The doctors often chose to approach the problem of drugs directly and detected usage in two-thirds of the cases. Cannabis was most often concerned, but the use of psychotropic drugs with alcohol was the case in one-third of the subjects interrogated. On the other hand, a certain frustration was felt by the doctors because of the difficulty of approaching the root problems and of acquiring psychotherapeutic monitoring.

[Dependence, abuse and misuse of drugs: knowledge and attitudes of private physicians in the Ile-de-France]

BACKGROUND

The rise in drug consumption and poorly adapted prescription practices are currently a growing problem. In the face of this trend, "L'Union Professionnelle des Médecins Libéraux d'Ile-de-France" investigated the awareness and the attitude of physicians towards drug dependency, abuse and misuse.

METHODS

One hundred physicians and 50 specialists, randomly selected, were contacted by phone. They were asked to give their own description of dependency, abuse and misuse based on patients' attitudes. They were to describe cases of their patients classifying them according to each category. In the second part of the phone interview, the physicians were to give their view about existing and potential tools to solve these problems.

RESULTS

Dependency, abuse and misuse problems were well known and frequent: 94% of physicians have such experience and among those, 60% saw such a patient more than once a week. The population concerned by these problems were generally middle-aged women with chronic disease. Misuse behavior was less easily identified (53% of the physicians described such patients). They generally concerned young men, most often drug addicts. From a global point of view, psychotropes were the most frequently misuse drugs, followed by the pain drugs and nsaids. These types of drugs are used routinely, some of them being sold without prescription. Diseases concerned were essentially psychiatric disorders, sleeping troubles and long lasting pains well classified. To face these problem, physicians recommend a dialogue between medical members and patients as well as a changing in professional (physicians and pharmacists) behavior such as firmness, education and listening.

CONCLUSION

Situations evoked during the survey were frequent but non systematically discerned as damageable. As a matter of fact, these observations are only a piece of an "intuitive" estimation of the risk versus benefit of the prescription of the drugs mentioned above. Actual regulation and control tools seem to be somewhat irrelevant to solve the problem.

Kangaroo mother care and the bonding hypothesis

BACKGROUND

Based on the general bonding hypothesis, it is suggested that kangaroo mother care (KMC) creates a climate in the family whereby parents become prone to sensitive caregiving. The general hypothesis is that skin-to-skin contact in the KMC group will build up a positive perception in the mothers and a state of readiness to detect and respond to infant's cues.

METHOD

The randomized controlled trial was conducted on a set of 488 infants weighing <2001 g, with 246 in the KMC group and 242 in the traditional care (TC) group. The design allows precise observation of the timing and duration of mother-infant contact, and takes into account the infant's health status at birth and the socioeconomic status of the parents. BONDING ASSESSMENT: Two series of outcomes are assessed as manifestations of a mother's attachment behavior. The first is the mother's feelings and perceptions of her premature birth experience, including her sense of competence, feelings of worry and stress, and perception of social support. The second outcome is derived from observations of the mother and child's responsivity to each other during breastfeeding at 41 weeks of gestational age.

INTERVENTIONS

KMC has three components. The first is the kangaroo position. Once the premature infant has adapted to extrauterine life and is able to breastfeed, he is positioned on the mother's chest, in a upright position, with direct skin-to-skin contact. The second component is kangaroo nutrition. Although breastfeeding is the prime source of nutrition, infants also may receive preterm formula whenever necessary and vitamin supplements. The third component is the clinical control; infants are monitored on a regular basis, daily until they are gaining at least 20 g per day. Afterward, weekly clinic visits are scheduled until term, which constitutes the ambulatory minimal neonatal care. In the TC group, infants are kept in incubators until they are able to self-regulate their temperature and are thriving (ie, have an appropriate weight gain). Infants are discharged according to current hospital practice, usually not before their weight is approximately 1700 g. Afterward, as with the KMC group, weekly clinic visits are scheduled until term.

RESULTS

We observed a change in the mothers' perception of her child, attributable to the skin-to-skin contact in the kangaroo-carrying position. This effect is related to a subjective "bonding effect" that may be understood readily by the empowering nature of the KMC intervention. Moreover, in stressful situations when the infant has to remain in the hospital longer, mothers practicing KMC feel more competent than do mothers in the TC group. This is what we call a resilience effect. In these stressful situations we also found a negative effect on the feelings of received support of mothers practicing KMC. We interpret this as an isolation effect. To thwart this deleterious effect, we would suggest adding social support as an integral component of KMC. The observations of the mothers' sensitive behavior did not show a definite bonding effect, but rather a resilience effect. This is attributable to the KMC intervention; mothers practicing KMC were more responsive to an at-risk infant whose development has been threatened by a longer hospital stay. Otherwise, we observed that the mothers (in both the KMC group and the TC group) had behavioral patterns that were adapted to the child's at-risk health status and to the precarious condition of some premature infants requiring intensive care. We conclude that the infant's health status may be a more prominent factor in explaining a mother's more sensitive behavior, which overshadows the kangaroo-carrying effect.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that KMC should be promoted actively and that mothers should be encouraged to use it as soon as possible during the intensive care period up to the 40 weeks of gestational age. Thus, KMC should be viewed as a means of humanizing the process of g

Evaluation of a new low-dose digital x-ray device: first dosimetric and clinical results in children

BACKGROUND

A new low-dose digital X-ray device, based on Charpak's Nobel prize-winning multiwire chamber, enables the production of images at very low doses. Objectives. To present the first dosimetric and clinical results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis was performed on 93 children with scoliosis and 47 undergoing pelvic radiography. The comparative study between conventional X-ray and the new technique focused on three points: (1) the dose delivered by each system (2) the diagnostic information provided by each system and (3) comparison of image quality criteria with European guidelines.

RESULTS

The mean ratio of conventional dose to that of the low-dose technique was 13.1 for the spinal examination and 18.8 for the pelvis. There was no significant difference in diagnostic information available from each modality, but there was a slight difference in quality criteria in favour of the conventional technique.

CONCLUSION

This new device allows spectacular dose reduction, consistent with adequate clinical information. Improvements of the prototype will lead to extension of potential indications and industrial development.

[Motivations and risk factors for tobacco use in new members of non-smoking youth clubs]

Since 1990, the National League Against Cancer and its departmental committees have put in place non-smoking clubs for youth (Club Pataclope) in order to carry out smoking prevention actions for youth between the ages of 7 and 14 years. The organisation of these actions is the responsibility of each of the different clubs. This study aims to describe the profile of new members, their motivations for joining the Pataclope Clubs, and their risks concerning tobacco consumption. A survey by close-ended self-questionnaire was carried out among new clubs members.

Kangaroo mother versus traditional care for newborn infants </=2000 grams: a randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In 1978, kangaroo mother care (KMC) was proposed as a caring alternative for low birth weight (LBW) infants. We are reporting here early outcomes of a randomized, controlled trial comparing KMC to traditional care.

METHOD

An open randomized, controlled trial was conducted in a large tertiary care hospital. All newborn infants </=2000 g, surviving the neonatal period and being eligible for a minimal care unit, were included. A total of 1084 newborns </=2000 g were followed, and 746 were randomized-382 to KMC and 364 to traditional care. KMC infants were discharged after randomization, regardless of weight or gestational age. Infants spent 24 hours per day in an upright position, in skin-to-skin contact, and attached to the mother's chest. After randomization, control infants remained at the minimal care unit until meeting usual discharge criteria. Both groups are being followed up to 12 months of corrected age; 679 (90%) were available for evaluation when they reached term (40 to 41 weeks of postconceptional age). The present paper reports early outcomes (when reaching term) including mortality, infectious episodes, hospital stay after eligibility, and growth and feeding patterns.

RESULTS

Both study groups were similar regarding all baseline variables but weight at eligibility. The risk of dying was similar in both groups (relative risk = 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.22-1. 6). There were no differences in growth indices. Nosocomial infections were more frequent in control infants. Hospital stay after eligibility was shorter in KMC, primarily for infants </=1800 g.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that KMC is a safe approach to the care of clinically stable LBW infants. Our findings provide the necessary scientific support to a method that is already incorporated in the care of LBW infants at many hospitals around the world and at different levels of care.

[4-month follow-up of 198 heroin addicts by general practitioners]

This study aimed to describe the short term follow-up of a cohort of 198 i.v. heroin users by 44 highly motivated General Practitioners (GPs). The study showed that for these GPs, the work-load linked with the care of these patients was heavy. Nearly half of them saw at least one drug-addict every day. These GPs work within a network and stated they benefit from a regular training on drug addiction topics. The profile of i.v. heroin users, followed by these GPs, is different from the ones usually described in other health care structures (higher percentage of women and better social insertion). The two main motives to consult a GP are the demand of drugs concerning their addiction and medical concern (due to infectious diseases especially). The answer of GPs, concerning the demand of drugs, divide physicians into two groups: those who never prescribe morphine like drugs as substitution and those who do so. In addition, both of them often prescribe psychotropic drugs to some of their patients. Nevertheless, these prescriptions are just one of the elements of a follow-up contract between a GP and his patients. Morphine like prescription is more frequently described among long term drug-addicts already well-known by GPs. This selection prohibits a straight comparison of the results of two groups of patients (with and without morphine like substitution). But the main fact is that patients under morphine like substitution are followed better (in terms of continuity) after 4 months of observation.

Prevalence and pathogenicity of Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients. A French multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Although Clostridium difficile is the main agent responsible for nosocomial diarrhea in adults, its prevalence in stool cultures sent to hospital microbiology laboratories is not clearly established.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of C difficile in inpatient stools sent to hospital microbiology laboratories and to assess the relationship between serotypes and toxigenicity of the strains isolated and the clinical data.

METHODS

From January 18, 1993, to July 31, 1993, the presence of C difficile was systematically investigated in a case-control study on 3921 stool samples sent for stool culture to 11 French hospital microbiology laboratories. The prevalence of C difficile in this population (cases) was compared with that of a group of 229 random hospital controls matched for age, department, and length of stay (controls). Stool culture from controls was requested by the laboratory although not prescribed by the clinical staff. Serotype and toxigenesis of the strains isolated were compared.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of C difficile in the cases was twice the prevalence in the controls (9.7% vs 4.8%; P < .001) and was approximately 4 times as high in diarrheal stools (ie, soft or liquid) as in normally formed stools from controls (11.5% vs 3.3%; P < .001). The strains isolated from diarrheal stools were more frequently toxigenic than those isolated from normally formed stools. Serogroup D was never toxigenic, and its proportion was statistically greater in the controls than in the cases (45% vs 18%; chi 2 = 5.2; P < .05). Conversely, serogroup C was isolated only from the cases. Clostridium difficile was mainly found in older patients ( > 65 years), suffering from a severe disabling disease, who had been treated with antibiotics and hospitalized for more than 1 week in long-stay wards or in intensive care.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter period prevalence study clearly supports the hypothesis of a common role of C difficile in infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients. Disease associated with C difficile should therefore be systematically evaluated in diarrheal stools from inpatients.

Rey-Martinez Kangaroo Mother Program: an alternative way of caring for low birth weight infants? One year mortality in a two cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of the Kangaroo mother intervention (KMI).

DESIGN

Observational, analytic, prospective (two cohorts) study.

SETTING

Two large tertiary care obstetric hospitals, one offering "traditional" care and the other KMI.

PATIENTS

Newborn infants with birth weights < or = 2000 g, who survive the neonatal period and are eligible for an in-patient minimal care unit (MCU) (having overcome major adaptation problems to extra uterine life).

INTERVENTIONS

"Kangaroo infants" (KI) were discharged as soon as they were eligible for MCU, regardless of weight or gestational age. Infants were kept 24 hours a day in an upright position, in skin-to-skin contact and firmly attached to the mother's chest until the KMI was not tolerated anymore. Control babies (from the other facility) were kept in incubators at the MCU until they satisfied usual discharge criteria for the control hospital. Both groups were followed periodically up to the age of 1 year.

RESULTS

Three hundred thirty-two eligible infants were recruited, 162 at the Kangaroo hospital and 170 at the control hospital. KI came from a much lower socio-economic class and were more ill before eligibility. Relative risk of death was higher for KI (RR 1.9), although this figure was reversed after adjusting for weight at birth and gestational age (RR 0.5). KI grew less in the first 3 months and had a higher proportion of developmental delay at 1 year, and a multivariate analysis failed to control for the large baseline differences in socioeconomic levels and babies' health status between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of major baseline differences between studied cohorts, the survival of LBW infants in Bogotá is similar between the KMI and the "traditional care". Questions remain about quality of life, especially regarding weight gain and neurodevelopment, that may be answered by a Randomized Controlled Trial.

[Postoperative analgesia in France. A study of the prescribing doctor's approach]

Every year nearly 4 million surgical procedures are carried out in France: about two thirds of the patients will suffer moderate to severe postoperative pain. Beside the obvious philosophical reasons, purely medical arguments also favour good quality postoperative pain relief. In this country, unlike the situation prevailing in many other countries, anaesthetists are in charge of postoperative pain relief. The survey reported here was carried out by questioning the usual prescribers and it reports their attitudes and practices. The results would show a rather good situation: anaesthetists seem to have an interest in the subject, and the approach looks very satisfactory but these points remain to be proved in practice. There is considerable interest in some drugs, but others are in disgrace for unclear reasons. New methods of administration are not very familiar. We may conclude from this study that a greater awareness of the problem is desirable, that general and specific scientific information should be made available, that clearly defined treatment plans should be established and evaluated regularly, and that financial resources must be envisaged.

[Current practice and attitude of anesthesiologists for prescribing preoperative investigative tests]

A telephone enquiry was undertaken to assess current practice among French anaesthetists, and to obtain their opinion, concerning preoperative laboratory screening tests. It included 204 anaesthetists, randomly selected from the membership directory of the French Society of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care. The sample was concordant with the distribution (sex and age) given by the specialists' list of the National Medical Council. It comprised 64.2% male anaesthetists, and the overall mean age was 44.2 years. On average, each anaesthetist carried out 26 elective and 4 emergency anaesthetist a week. An organized preanaesthetic consultation was available in only 73% of public hospitals. However, even when existing, it does not automatically concern all surgical stations of the hospital and only 59% of patients benefit from that consultation. In 55% of patients the screening tests had still been made before the preanaesthetic consultation for scheduled surgery. About 15% of patients were seen for the first time by an anaesthetist on the very day of surgery. A routine prescription of preoperative tests was not systematic. Non prescription ranged from 7 to 34% of patients, depending on the tests. The responders recognized that for the same tests the rate could be comprised between 21 and 66% of patients. Moreover, 38% of anaesthetists admitted that sometimes they did not see results of the prescribed tests before carrying out the anaesthetic. Overprescription of preoperative tests has been recognized. However, legal, organisational, relational or economical reasons are given which may explain difficulties met with to rationalize prescription of these tests.

Selective contraindications based on multivariate analysis for operative cholangiography in biliary lithiasis

This study was done to select patients with a low risk of common bile duct (CBD) stones in whom operative cholangiography could be avoided. Operative cholangiography was performed upon 511 patients. Two different groups of patients were identified--patients with CBD stones visualized by CBD exploration (n = 90) and patients with no CBD stones at the time of operative cholangiography (n = 421). Multivariate analysis (stepwise logistic regression) showed that five variables were correlated with the presence of CBD stones--size of CBD equal to or greater than 12 millimeters, gallstones equal to or less than 10 millimeters, advanced age, chronic or acute cholecystitis and past history of biliary colic. Using a scoring system, a group of patients with a low risk (less than 2 percent) of CBD stones could be easily determined. In this group of patients, operative cholangiography may be avoided.

[Social impact of osteoarthritis. Risk/benefit--cost/effectiveness ratio of osteoarthritis treatments]

The development of a drug for the fundamental treatment of osteoarthritis requires that its efficacy should be proven clinically. This implies that there must be a clear definition of the evaluation criterion (slowing down in the progression of osteoarthritic lesions). Marketing of a drug depends on the efficacy/safety relationship, but any assessment of the value of a fundamental treatment for osteoarthritis goes beyond the framework of a study of its efficacy. Its usefulness can be measured in terms of scales estimating the quality of life that are related to the osteoarthritic disease. Overall criteria, such as the level of maintenance treatment, can be used in comparative, randomized, double blinds trials. Pragmatic trials seem to afford a methodology which is suited to the evaluation of usefulness and therapeutic benefit. The basis of cost/effectiveness, cost/usefulness and cost/benefit studies relies on a comparison of the cost of osteoarthritis and its treatment with the benefits brought about by such treatment.

[Effects of simvastatin on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins (A1 and B). 24 cases of major primary hypercholesterolemia]

We studied the effects of simvastatin (MK 733), a new competitive inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase, alone and in combination with a bile acid sequestrant, cholestyramine, on serum levels of lipoproteins and apoproteins A1 and B, in 24 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. After simvastatin treatment (40 mg/day) alone for 12 weeks, serum total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 31 and 36 percent respectively. With the addition of cholestyramine, there was a 41 per cent total decrease in serum cholesterol from the control value and a 50 percent decrease in low density lipoprotein cholesterol. After cholestyramine treatment alone for 12 weeks, serum total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 20 percent and 29 percent respectively. With the addition of simvastatin (20 mg per day), there was a 32 percent total decrease in serum cholesterol from the control value and a 43 percent decrease in low density lipoprotein cholesterol. High density lipoprotein cholesterol remained unchanged. No major adverse effect was observed. If long term safety can be confirmed, the simvastatin-cholestyramine regimen may prove useful in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Prospective assessment of a protocol for selective ordering of preoperative chest x-rays

Routine preoperative chest x-rays are still widely employed worldwide, although results of many studies do not support their broad utilization. A protocol for selective ordering of preoperative chest x-rays, according to the patient's clinical status, medical history and scheduled surgery, was developed and implemented in a teaching hospital in Paris. The utilization of the protocol during a one-year period was evaluated. Eleven hundred and one chest x-rays were ordered in 3866 patients (28 per cent). Five hundred and sixty-eight x-rays (52 per cent) were abnormal. One hundred and sixty-six (15 per cent) were considered useful by the anaesthetists, who took into account the entire hospital course, although only 51 (5 per cent) had an impact on the surgical plan or anaesthetic management. Among the 2765 patients who did not have a preoperative chest x-ray, two patients could have benefited from the chest x-ray, in the view of anaesthetists. Chart review for these two patients and for patients who had perioperative complications in the absence of a preoperative chest x-ray revealed that no complications could be linked to the lack of preoperative chest x-ray ordering. This study shows that the abandonment of routine ordering of preoperative chest x-rays does not produce adverse effects on patient care.

Low doses v conventional doses of corticoids in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): results of a randomized clinical trial in 160 children, 223 adults

A randomized clinical trial was performed in 160 children and 223 adults with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The role of corticoids at this phase of the disease is still controversial. Therefore, patients were randomized to receive either conventional doses (1 mg/kg/day) of corticotherapy or low doses (0.25 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. The remission, defined by platelet count superior to 100,000/microliter was studied for adults and children after 6 months and 12 months, respectively. The statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two corticotherapy regimens neither in children nor in adults. Overall, 74% of children and 41% of adults were in remission. For the first time in acute ITP, a randomized prospective trial showed that both in children and adults low dose corticotherapy (0.25 mg/kg/day) proves to have the same efficacy as conventional doses (1 mg/kg/day).

Usefulness of selectively ordered preoperative tests

The authors prospectively evaluated the usefulness of 12 preoperative tests (including blood type and screen) ordered selectively according to clinical status and importance of scheduled surgery. Two methods of assessing usefulness of tests were used, taking into account not simply their abnormality yield, but also their impact on patient care during the entire hospitalization: first, usefulness was assessed by anesthetists involved in care; second, usefulness was assessed by an automated analysis of specific clinical situations in which tests were a priori considered useful. In 3,866 patients 15,920 tests were performed; 30% of performed tests were abnormal. As a consequence of test results, surgery was delayed or cancelled in 19 patients and modified in 1, and a treatment was instituted or anesthetic management influenced in 347 (9%). Blood component therapy was instituted in 652 patients (17%). Anesthetists and automated analysis found at least one preoperative test useful in 931 patients (24%) and 890 patients (23%), respectively, whereas on a per-test basis 17% and 9% of tests were found useful. The discrepancy in usefulness assessment was mainly due to differences in evaluation of the usefulness of normal results. This study shows that the usefulness of selectively ordered preoperative tests may be high, but better criteria for their indications are needed, because tests other than those recommended by protocol were found useful.

Designing a study for evaluating a protocol for the selective performance of preoperative tests

Some basic concepts concerning classification of studies evaluating diagnostic procedures are given. The specific problem of assessment of routine preoperative tests is discussed: actual knowledge and methodological criticisms of previous studies, hypothesis for further evaluations, difficulties in the choice of a design and realization of a clinical study to assess a protocol for selective ordering of preoperative tests during one year in a teaching hospital. 3866 consecutive patients were included. The protocol led to perform only 33 per cent of all potential tests and did not apparently produce major adverse effects on the quality of care as appreciated by a clinical decision analysis.

[Evaluation of a protocol for selective ordering of preoperative tests in healthy subjects]

A protocol for selective ordering of 12 preoperative tests was prospectively evaluated during one year in a teaching hospital. 1600 consecutive healthy patients had an average of 2.4 tests each, but 270 of them had none. Usefulness of tests was assessed by taking into account not simply their abnormality yield, but also their impact on patient care during the whole hospital stay in the anaesthetist view. The possible value of tests omitted was assessed by anaesthetists at the end of hospital stay. As a consequence of test results, surgery was delayed in one patient, and a treatment was started or the anaesthetic management adapted in 16.7% of tests performed (279/3905) were found to be useful and 0.1% of tests not carried out (21/15295) would have been potentially useful. No complication inducing sequelae or death could be linked to tests not carried out. This study showed that routine preoperative investigations in healthy patients could be avoided without any adverse effects on patient care.

Essential thrombocythemias. Clinical evolutionary and biological data

This retrospective study reviewed 94 patients, aged 6 to 90 years, with thrombocythemia. The women/men ratio was 1.76. At onset or, less commonly, during the course of the disease, 45% of the patients presented hemorrhagic manifestations, 29% thrombotic complications, and only 14% the association of hemorrhage and thrombosis. The average platelet count was 1200 X 10(9)/1, with no difference according to sex or age. Platelet hypoaggregation was seen in practically all the cases (94%), although myelofibrosis was less frequent (54%). The frequency of hemorrhages increased when the platelet count was above 1000 X 10(9)/1 (P less than 0.01), but the occurrence of thrombosis was correlated neither with platelet count nor with thrombopathy. Survival time was lengthy: 80% of survival (standard error 6%) was observed at 100 months. Transformation to acute leukemia was observed in five patients. Because the disease course is most often prolonged, therapeutic measures must be conservative: anti-aggregating drugs in small doses, and chemotherapy beginning with nonalkylating agents.

Evaluation of the protective effect of BCG vaccination by a case-control study in Yaounde, Cameroon

A case-control study carried out in Yaounde (Cameroon) shows that the protective effect of BCG against pulmonary tuberculosis in the young adult was 66% (relative risk 0.34). This result is not affected by taking into account various factors such as sex, age, socio-economic class and geographical origin.

Evaluation of a protocol for selective ordering of preoperative tests

A protocol for selective ordering of 12 preoperative tests, according to clinical status and type of surgery, was prospectively tested for one year in a teaching hospital. 3866 consecutive surgical patients had an average of about 4 tests each. The possible value of tests that were omitted was assessed in the light of events during and after operation. According to predetermined criteria, 0.4% of non-ordered tests would have been potentially useful; but in the opinion of the anaesthetists, only 0.2% would actually have been useful. The protocol therefore had little adverse effect on patient care and was acceptable to clinicians.

[Is it possible to predict the cleanliness of the colon before double-contrast enema? Study of the image of the abdomen without preparation, and the number of liquid stools]

Correlations between evaluations by two observers of cleanliness of colon on straight abdominal images (ASP) and on barium enema (LDC) results were studied, as well as predictions of cleanliness of LDC by ASP. Correlation between observers was practically nul for ASP and was poor for LDC. There is lack of correlation between cleanliness of colon on ASP and cleanliness of LDC. It is concluded that no purpose is served in performing ASP before LDC in order to predict cleanliness and that the definition of cleanliness itself requires updating. In contrast, however, the presence of less than three liquid stools appears to be related to diminished cleanliness (p less than 0.05).

Prognostic factors from a randomized clinical trial in resected lung cancer

Prognostic information has three main uses: prediction of the course of evolution of disease, decisions about treatment and limitation of complementary tests. Using data from a randomized controlled clinical trial of immunotherapy in resected lung cancer, we identified factors of prognostic importance. In particular we demonstrated that a time-consuming and expensive cell-mediated immunity test is not of prognostic value. Our cooperative group decided to cancel this test in the routine examination of patients with resected lung cancer. Disease stage was confirmed as the main prognostic factor.

[An approach to the evaluation of medical journals: application to original articles of La Presse Médicale and the New England Journal of Medicine published in 1982]

Medical journals play an important role in the diffusion of scientific medical information. We tried to evaluate the French medical journal, La Presse Médicale, and to compare it with the New England Journal of Medicine. We reviewed all the original articles published in 1982 (207 articles In La Presse Medicale and 152 articles in the New England Journal of Medicine): specialties, methodologies used in the studies, environment (number of authors, geographical origin, institutional origin, number and language of references, number of subjects included in the studies). The articles in both journals concerned virtually the same specialties, more than 50% of the articles dealing with the following: cancerology, cardiology, infectious diseases, endocrinology, gastroenterology. Many specialties including highly prevalent diseases were underrepresented in both journals. When treating the same kind of problems, different methodologies were used: faced with a therapeutical problem, authors in La Presse Medicale used mostly non controlled evaluations (46%, 30 articles), and few randomized controlled trials (12%, 8 articles). On the other hand, authors in the New England Journal of Medicine used mostly randomised controlled trials (56%, 36 articles), and less non controlled evaluations (26%, 16 articles). Most references were in English, even in La Presse Medicale, in which 76% of all references were not in French, and 14% of all articles had no French references. In conclusion, this study shows differences between the two journals: in particular, the methodologies used by the authors in La Presse Medicale were less pertinent than those used by the authors in the New England Journal of Medicine. This finding is important with regard to the formation of and information given to the French speaking physicians, and a strong reaction from the editors and physicians concerned is desirable.