Physicians’ practices for diagnosing liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases: A nationwide,Canadian survey

OBJECTIVE:

To determine practices among physicians in Canada for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases.

METHODS:

Hepatologists, gastroenterologists, infectious diseases specialists, members of the Canadian Gastroenterology Association and/or the Canadian HIV Trials Network who manage patients with liver diseases were invited to participate in a web-based, national survey.

RESULTS:

Of the 237 physicians invited, 104 (43.9%) completed the survey. Routine assessment of liver fibrosis was requested by the surveyed physicians mostly for chronic hepatitis C (76.5%), followed by autoimmune/cholestatic liver disease (59.6%) and chronic hepatitis B (52.9%). Liver biopsy was the main diagnostic tool for 46.2% of the respondents, Fibroscan (Echosens, France) for 39.4% and Fibrotest (LabCorp, USA) for 7.7%. Etiology-specific differences were observed: noninvasive methods were mostly used for hepatitis C (63% versus 37% liver biopsy) and hepatitis B (62.9% versus 37.1% liver biopsy). For 42.7% of respondents, the use of noninvasive methods reduced the need for liver biopsy by >50%. Physicians’ characteristics associated with higher use of noninvasive methods were older age and being based at a university hospital or in private practice versus community hospital. Physicians’ main concerns regarding noninvasive fibrosis assessment methods were access/availability (42.3%), lack of guidelines for clinical use (26.9%) and cost/lack of reimbursement (14.4%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Physicians who manage patients with chronic liver diseases in Canada require routine assessment of liver fibrosis stage. Although biopsy remains the primary diagnostic tool for almost one-half of respondents, noninvasive methods, particularly Fibroscan, have significantly reduced the need for liver biopsy in Canada. Limitations in access to and availability of the noninvasive methods represent a significant barrier. Finally, there is a need for clinical guidelines and a better reimbursement policy to implement noninvasive tools to assess liver fibrosis.     

Peripheral microvascular dysfunction predicts residual risk in coronary artery disease patients on statin therapy

Objective

Although lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by statins is essential in treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, there is considerable residual risk of secondary coronary artery events (CAE). We examined whether microvascular dysfunction (MiD), measured by peripheral artery tonometry (PAT), can predict prognosis of CAD patients previously treated with statins.

Methods

We measured log-transformed reactive hyperemia index (L_RHI) in 213 CAD patients who had already achieved LDL-C <100 by statin therapy. Patients were followed-up for secondary CAE for a median of 2.7 years. Patients were divided into two groups: L_RHI ≥ 0.54 (n = 99) and L_RHI < 0.54 (n = 114).

Results

During follow-up, CAE occurred in 4 (4.0%) patients in the L_RHI ≥ 0.54 group and 18 (15.8%) patients in the L_RHI < 0.54 group (P = 0.006). Cox regression analysis indicated that L_RHI was an independent predictor for CAE even after adjustment by Framingham traditional risk factors (FRF; age, T-C/HDL-C ratio, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, current smoker, and gender) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for secondary CAE (HR 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66–0.95). ROC analysis for CAE prediction showed that the AUC for models including FRF only, FRF + eGFR, and FRF + eGFR + L_RHI were 0.60, 0.71, and 0.77, respectively. Moreover, adding eGFR to FRF only (0.63, P = 0.003) and adding L_RHI to the FRF + eGFR model were associated with significant improvement of net reclassification improvement (0.79, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

MiD measured by non-invasive PAT adds incremental predictive ability to traditional risk factors for prognosis of CAD patients successfully treated with statins.     

瞬时弹性成像评估不同程度脂肪肝的临床价值

目的 探讨瞬时弹性成像（FibroTouch）对不同程度脂肪肝的评估价值。方法 选取120例不同程度脂肪肝患者（轻、中、重度组分别为59、45、16例）,均行FibroTouch检测获得受控衰减参数和肝脏硬度;收集各组体质量指数、脂肪变性程度、甘油三酯、气球样变等一般资料;比较各组上述参数的差异。应用多元线性回归分析受控衰减参数的影响因素。结果 轻、中、重度组受控衰减参数分别为（245.56±17.62）dB/m、（286.97±23.49）dB/m和（342.82±20.55）dB/m,肝脏硬度分别为（4.6±0.9）kPa、（5.2±0.9）kPa、（9.0±1.3）kPa,差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）;轻、中、重度组受控衰减参数及肝脏硬度均依次增大,两两比较差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。各组体质量指数、脂肪变性程度、甘油三酯、气球样变比较差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。多元线性回归分析显示,体质量指数、脂肪变性程度、甘油三酯、气球样变、肝脏硬度均为受控衰减参数的影响因素（均P<0.05）。结论 FibroTouch可以准确评估不同程度...     

无创正压通气治疗老年COPD合并呼吸衰竭患者的临床疗效观察

目的：探讨无创正压通气治疗老年COPD合并呼吸衰竭患者的临床效果。方法选取我院收治的老年COPD并合并有呼吸衰竭的患者60例,随机分为A组与B组,B组患者行鼻导管持续低流量吸氧和常规药物治疗,A组患者在B组基础上增加机械通气面罩正压通气。比较两组患者血气分析结果、病死率、治疗周期和治疗后肺功能指标间的差异。结果 A组患者血气分析指标和治疗后肺功能指标显著优于B组（ P＜0.05）,病死率显著低于B组（P＜0.05）,治疗周期显著短于B组（P＜0.05）。结论无创正压通气可以有效提高老年COPD并发呼吸衰竭患者的临床治疗效果。     

双水平正压通气和经鼻持续气道正压通气在早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征撤机后应用的比较

目的探讨重度新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征（RDS）早产儿撤机后使用双水平正压通气（DuoPAP）和持续气道正压通气（NCPAP）模式相比,是否可以降低撤机失败率。方法选择2012年1—12月入住本院早产儿重症监护病房、胎龄29—34周、需要有创呼吸、并且在生后4周内撤机的重度RDS早产儿,撤机后随机分为DuoPAP组和NCPAP组,若应用这两种方式不能维持则再次气管插管呼吸机辅助呼吸。主要观察指标为撤机失败率、失败原因以及使用无创呼吸支持后1、12、24、48、72h二氧化碳分压（PaCO2）、氧分压（PaO2）和氧合指数（OI）。结果共入选69例RDS早产儿,DuoPAP组35例,NCPAP组34例。DuoPAP组与NCPA组比较,撤机失败率降低（11．4％比35．3％）;12、24hOI升高[12h：（228．1±44．4）比（204．2±44．6）,24h：（254．6±39．5）比（230．4±44．4）],PaCO2（mmHg）降低[12h：（35．1±8．3）比（40．5士8．9）,24h：（36．8±8．4）比（42．1±8．8）];12hPaO2（mmHg）升高[（89．0±12．5）比（74．5±13．8）],P均〈0．05。两组总用氧时间、有创呼吸支持时间、气胸、坏死性小肠结肠炎和重度脑室内出血发生率差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论与使用NCPAP相比,撤机后使用DuoPAP可明显降低重度RDS患儿撤机失败率,值得推广。     

The experiences of nurses using noninvasive ventilation: An integrative review of the literature

BackgroundNoninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a common treatment delivered in critical care and is imperative in the management of many acute respiratory illnesses. Nurses are integral to the initiation and management of NIV, but there is a paucity of evidence on the experiences of nurses in this role.ObjectivesThe aim of this integrative review was to examine the current available research focused on nurses’ experiences of using NIV across a variety of healthcare settings.MethodsDatabase searches were conducted using EBSCOhost (health) databases, MEDLINE, and Science Direct. Search terms used were combinations of ‘nurs1’ or ‘experience1’ with ‘noninvasive ventilation’, ‘non invasive ventilation’, ‘BiPAP’, ‘CPAP’, or ‘positive airway pressure’. Inclusion criteria were studies that focused on the experiences of nurses using NIV, were peer reviewed and published in English, and had research designs (collected and analysed quantitative and/or qualitative data). The studies that met the inclusion criteria were individually examined and rated in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for critical and interpretive research.ResultsThe literature search returned a possible 279 matches which were shortlisted based on the title and then again by abstract content before being reviewed in full. After application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, eight articles with a mix of qualitative and quantitative study designs were included in the review. The themes of education, communication, and guideline utilisation were common to many of the findings from both interviews and surveys.ConclusionThe research examined in this literature review reported some difficulties associated with NIV use including limited education, communication, and variable guideline use. Despite this, nurses were generally able to use NIV to provide positive patient outcomes.Clinical Trial Registration NumberNA.     

Nutrition-related outcomes and dietary intake in non–mechanically ventilated critically ill adult patients: A pilot observational descriptive study

BackgroundCritically ill patients who do not receive invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) are a growing population, experiencing complex interventions that may impair dietary intake and nutrition-related outcomes.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to quantify intake and nutrition-related outcomes of non-IMV critically ill patients and to establish feasibility of methods to measure nutrition-related outcomes in this population.MethodsNon-IMV adult patients expected to remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) for ≥24 h were eligible. Nutrition-related outcomes were assessed at baseline by subjective global assessment (SGA); on alternate study days by mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), calf circumference (CC), and ultrasound of quadriceps muscle layer thickness (QMLT); and daily by body weight and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Data were censored at day 5 or ICU discharge. Dietary intake from all sources, including oral intake via investigator-led weighed food records, was quantified on days 1–3. Feasibility was defined as data completion rate ≥70%. Data are expressed as mean (standard deviation) or median [interquartile range (IQR)].ResultsTwenty-three patients consented (50% male; 53 [42–64] y; ICU stay: 2.8 [1.9–4.0] d). Nutrition-related outcomes at baseline and ICU discharge were as follows: MUAC: 33.2 (8.6) cm (n = 18) and 29.3 (5.4) cm (n = 6); CC: 39.5 (7.4) cm (n = 16) and 37.5 (6.2) cm (n = 6); body weight: 95.3 (34.8) kg (n = 19) and 95.6 (41.0) kg (n = 10); and QMLT: 2.6 (0.8) cm (n = 15) and 2.5 (0.3) cm (n = 5), respectively. Oral intake provided 3155 [1942–5580] kJ and 32 [20–53] g protein, with poor appetite identified as a major barrier. MUAC, CC, QMLT, and SGA were feasible, while BIA and body weight were not.ConclusionsOral intake in critically ill patients not requiring IMV is below estimated requirements, largely because of poor appetite. The small sample and short study duration were not sufficient to quantify changes in nutrition-related outcomes. MUAC, CC, QMLT, and SGA are feasible methods to assess nutrition-related outcomes at a single time point in this population.