Long-term health-related quality of life of breast cancer survivors remains impaired compared to the age-matched general population especially in young women. Results from the prospective controlled BREX exercise study

ObjectiveTo investigate long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) changes over time in younger compared to older disease-free breast cancer survivors who participated in a prospective randomized exercise trial.MethodsSurvivors (aged 35–68 years) were randomized to a 12-month exercise trial after adjuvant treatment and followed up for ten years. HRQoL was assessed with the generic 15D instrument during follow-up and the younger (baseline age ≤ 50) and older (age >50) survivors’ HRQoL was compared to that of the age-matched general female population (n = 892). The analysis included 342 survivors.ResultsThe decline of HRQoL compared to the population was steeper and recovery slower in the younger survivors (p for interaction < 0.001). The impairment was also larger among the younger survivors (p = 0.027) whose mean HRQoL deteriorated for three years after treatment and started to slowly improve thereafter but still remained below the population level after ten years (difference −0.017, 95% CI: −0.031 to −0.004). The older survivors’ mean HRQoL gradually approached the population level during the first five years but also remained below it at ten years (difference −0.019, 95% CI: −0.031 to −0.007). The largest differences were on the dimensions of sleeping and sexual activity, on which both age groups remained below the population level throughout the follow-up.ConclusionsHRQoL developed differently in younger and older survivors both regarding the most affected dimensions of HRQoL and the timing of the changes during follow-up. HRQoL of both age groups remained below the population level even ten years after treatment.     

Etiology,treatment and long-term results of isolated midfoot fractures

PurposeEtiology, treatment and long-term results of patients with isolated midfoot fractures were evaluated to create a basis for treatment optimization.MethodInjury cause, type and extent, treatment and long-term results (American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgery-Midfoot-Score (AOFAS-M), Hannover Scoring System (HSS), own Questionnaire (Q)) of isolated midfoot fractures (avulsions and Chopart/Lisfranc fracture dislocations excluded) were determined.ResultsFifty-eight patients with isolated midfoot fractures were included. Injury causes were vehicular trauma (n = 40), falls (n = 13), contusions (n = 3) and others (n = 2). The fractures were located as follows: cuboid, n = 28; naviculare, n = 23; cuneiforme I, n = 19; cuneiforme II, n = 11; and cuneiforme III, n = 9. 91.4% (n = 53) of cases were treated operatively, 15 times with closed and 38 times with open reduction. Five patients were treated conservatively.Forty-seven (81.0%) patients had follow-up after 9 (1–22) years. The mean follow-up scores of the entire group were AOFAS-M = 66.7, HSS = 62.8, and Q = 62.2. No significant score differences were determined with regard to age, sex, and time or type of treatment. The highest scores were observed in non-displaced fractures or after early anatomic reduction.ConclusionIsolated midfoot fractures without Chopart's or Lisfranc's joint fracture dislocation are uncommon. The long-term results are mostly characterized by minimal functional restrictions. In cases with poor results, the initial restoration of anatomic conditions have been unsatisfactory. Therefore, we recommend the early reduction and internal fixation in all displaced fractures. The reduction should be open if the closed reduction does not achieve anatomic conditions.     

Protontherapy of eye tumours in the UK: A review of treatment at Clatterbridge

The Scanditronix MC-60 PF cyclotron at Clatterbridge was commissioned in 1984 for fast neutrontherapy trials. It also produced a 60.0 MeV clinical beam suitable for treating ocular tumours with a maximum penetration of 31 mm (water) and a 0.9 mm fall-off. An additional treatment room was built with an ocular beamline constructed in-house. The first group of eye patients was treated in June 1989, making this the first hospital-based proton facility. More than 1700 eye patients have been treated by the only UK proton service.     

术后患者做C-反应蛋白检测必要性的探讨

目的讨论C-反应蛋白（CRP）对术后患者的临床应用。方法用Orion Diagnostica透射比浊法检测200例术后患者血清中的CRP水平并观察其数值变化。结果感染组和非感染组CRP差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。治疗前后比较，CRP在好转组治疗后明显减低，而恶化组治疗数值升高。结论CRP对术后患者感染诊断的特异性较差，但与炎症反应严重程度有一定关系，且对治疗效果及预后判断有一定指导意义。     

Causes of Death and Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the causes of death and risk factors for mortality in a cohort of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Patients and methodsWe studied 203 patients with severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁] <50%), who were attended in our respiratory department day hospital (2001-2006). Clinical variables were recorded on inclusion, and clinical course and causes of death were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThe mean (SD) age of patients was 69 (8) years and the mean FEV₁ was 30.8% (8.2%). One-hundred and nine patients died (53.7%); death was attributed to respiratory causes in 72 (80.9%), with COPD exacerbation being the most frequent specific cause within this category (48.3%). During follow-up, 18.7% required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 80%, 53%, and 26%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that mortality was associated with age, stage IV classification according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), cor pulmonale, and hospital admission during the year prior to inclusion. Need for admission to the ICU during follow-up was a factor independently associated with higher mortality.ConclusionsMortality in patients with severe COPD was high and exacerbation of the disease was one of the most frequent causes of death. Age, GOLD stage, cor pulmonale, prior admission to hospital, and need for admission to the ICU during follow-up were independent predictors of mortality.