Utility of the Tétanos Quick Stick® in the vaccine catch-up of adult migrants without proof of prior vaccination

BackgroundUnknowing immunity status make migrants vaccine catch-up difficult. The interest of using a rapid tetanus immunotest as the Tétanos Quick Stick® (TQS®) to assess immunity status against tetanus has been evaluated in emergency rooms and it is now commonly used. The study aim was to evaluate TQS® as a tool for migrants’ vaccine catch-up.MethodsFrom December 2018 to February 2019, a prospective study was performed and included consecutively migrants who attented to the primary medicine outconsultation of a health care centre in Paris. Migrants above 18, without any records of tetanus immunization were included and a TQS® was performed during a medical consultation. Adapted vaccine catch-up was then proposed. Immunity against tetanus among migrants, factors associated with positive TQS® and costs savings were evaluated.ResultsTQS® test was positive for 32% of the 310 included patients. In the univariable analysis, factors associated to the presence of a positive TQS® test were a female gender (OR = 1.69 CI95% [1.02–2.80]) and an urban living in the country of origin (OR = 1.79 CI95% [1.07–3.02]). In the multivariable analysis, these factors were not significantly associated to a positive TQS®. Anamnesis was not correlated to the immunity status: only 26% of the migrants who reported vaccinations in childhood, adolescence and adulthood had a positive TQS® test. The use of TQS® test allowed savings of 6,522 US$ as compared to the immediate catch-up strategy for the 310 patients.ConclusionThe TQS® test is an acceptable, simple, rapid and cost saving test that could find a place in the migrants’ vaccine catch-up.     

Effect of individualized physical rehabilitation programs on respiratory function in women with post-mastectomy syndrome

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an individualized physical rehabilitation programs aimed at improving respiratory function in women with post-mastectomy syndrome. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial 50 women with post-mastectomy syndrome were enrolled in the experimental group (EG, n = 25) or the comparison group (CG, n = 25). The program for the EG included: aqua aerobics (i.e. aqua jogging, aqua building, and aqua stretching); conditional swimming; and recreational aerobics. The program for the CG included: conditional swimming and Pilates exercises. Both intervention groups attended individualized physical rehabilitation programs three times per week for 48 weeks. The primary outcome measure was spirometry of the patients measured before, 6 and 12 months after the intervention. Results: This study demonstrated that most of the respiratory function parameters increased significantly in both groups over the year of exercise training. After the year of training the individualized physical rehabilitation program for the EG was significantly better (p < 0.01) as compared with the CG, except for inspiratory reserve volume and maximal voluntary ventilation, which were not statistically different. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that individual programs of physical rehabilitation could be considered effective for the improvement of respiratory function of the patients with post-mastectomy syndrome. The results obtained could serve as a basis for more widespread clinical program development.     

快速康复护理、中医特色护理对卵巢癌的效果

目的分析快速康复护理联合中医特色护理在卵巢癌围手术期护理中应用效果。方法选择本院100例2018年7月-2019年2月卵巢癌患者。随机分组,快速康复护理组采取快速康复护理,快速康复护理联合中医特色护理组则采取快速康复护理联合中医针灸推拿护理。比较两组护理满意度;卵巢癌疼痛以及不良反应好转的时间;治疗前后患者中医证候积分、QOL量表评分值。结果快速康复护理联合中医特色护理组护理满意度、卵巢癌疼痛以及不良反应好转的时间、中医证候积分、QOL量表评分值相比较快速康复护理组更好,P <0.05。结论快速康复护理联合中医针灸推拿护理卵巢癌效果确切,可改善并发症和缓解疼痛,改善生存质量。     

Surviving a stroke in South Africa: outcomes of home-based care in a low-resource rural setting

Background: Little is known of stroke outcomes in low- and middle-income countries with limited formal stroke rehabilitation services and of homebased-stroke services delivered within the primary health care (PHC) context by community health workers (CHWs).

Objectives: To describe and analyze the outcomes of patients with stroke from a rural PHC setting in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Methods: In a longitudinal survey, 93 stroke patients, referred to home and community-based care services (HCBC) between June 2015 and December 2017, were assessed at baseline, one month and three months. Changes in function (Barthel Index (BI)), caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index (CSI)), impact of environmental factors and satisfaction with stroke care were measured.

Results: HCBC was delayed, fragmented and brief (median session duration 20 minutes (IQR 15.0–30.0)). Although function improved significantly, dependence remained high: median BI score changed from 40.0 (IQR 15.0–70.0) to 62.5 (IQR 30.0–81.25) (p = .019). A third (33.0% (30/91)) of caregivers initially experienced strain and the median CSI score remained 3.0 (IQR 0.0–7.0) (p = .672). Overall, patient and caregiver satisfaction with HCBC was low with only 46.9% (31/66) of caregivers and 17.4% (12/69) of patients satisfied with all aspects of care. Only 47.6% of assistive product needs were met. Environmental factors negatively impacted on patient function and caregiving.

Conclusions: Clinical practice pathways and referral guidelines should be developed for the HCBC platform. Specific training of CHWs, focusing on how to educate, support and train family caregivers, provide assistive devices and refer to health services is needed.     

快速康复内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床观察

目的:探讨快速康复外科理念联合内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效。方法:选取2018年4月—2019年4月本院收治的86例腰椎间盘突出症患者,随机分为两组,每组43例,对照组通过内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗,观察组予以快速康复外科理念联合内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗,对比两组疗效和并发症发生情况。结果:观察组并发症发生率(4.65%)较对照组(18.60%)低,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);观察组下床活动时间、住院时间较对照组短,术后7天的疼痛评分较对照组低,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);术后3个月,观察组的Oswestry功能障碍指数问卷表评分较对照组低,日本骨科协会评估治疗分数较对照组高,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论:探讨快速康复外科理念联合内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症可减少并发症,缩短术后恢复时间,进而促进患者功能有效康复。     

Assessment of backward walking unmasks mobility impairments in post-stroke community ambulators

Background: While over half of stroke survivors recover the ability to walk without assistance, deficits persist in the performance of walking adaptations necessary for safe home and community mobility. One such adaptation is the ability to walk or step backward. Post-stroke rehabilitation rarely includes backward walking (BW) assessment and BW deficits have not been quantified in post-stroke community ambulators.

Objective: To quantify spatiotemporal and kinematic BW characteristics in post-stroke community ambulators and compare their performance to controls.

Methods: Individuals post-stroke (n = 15, 60.1 ± 12.9 years, forward speed: 1.13 ± 0.23 m/s) and healthy adults (n = 12, 61.2 ± 16.2 years, forward speed: 1.40 ± 0.13 m/s) performed forward walking (FW) and BW during a single session. Step characteristics and peak lower extremity joint angles were extracted using 3D motion analysis and analyzed with mixed-method ANOVAs (group, walking condition).

Results: The stroke group demonstrated greater reductions in speed, step length and cadence and a greater increase in double-support time during BW compared to FW (p < .01). Compared to FW, the post-stroke group demonstrated greater reductions in hip extension and knee flexion during BW (p < .05). The control group demonstrated decreased plantarflexion and increased dorsiflexion during BW, but these increases were attenuated in the post-stroke group (p < .05).

Conclusions: Assessment of BW can unmask post-stroke walking impairments not detected during typical FW. BW impairments may contribute to the mobility difficulties reported by adults post-stroke. Therefore, BW should be assessed when determining readiness for home and community ambulation.