The Prevalence of Frailty Among Older Adults Living With Dementia: A Systematic Review

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of frailty in older adults living with dementia and explore the differences in medication use according to frailty status.DesignSystematic review of published literature from inception to August 20, 2020.Setting and ParticipantsAdults age ≥65 years living with dementia in acute-care, community and residential care settings.MethodsA systematic search was performed in Embase, Medline, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, APA PscyInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened records and conducted quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.ResultsSixteen articles met the inclusion criteria, with 7 studies conducted in acute care setting and 9 studies in community-dwelling adults. Five studies recruited people with dementia exclusively, and 11 studies were conducted in older populations that included individuals with dementia diagnosis. Among studies conducted in acute care setting, the prevalence of frailty ranged from 50.8% to 91.8% compared with studies in community-dwelling setting, which reported a prevalence of 24.3% to 98.9%. With respect to medication exposure, 3 studies documented medication use according to frailty status but not dementia status. Higher medications use, measured as total number of medications was reported in frail [7.0 ± 4.0 (SD) ?12.0 ± 9.0 (SD)] compared with nonfrail participants [6.1 ± 3.1(SD) ?10.4 ± 3.8 (SD)].Conclusions and ImplicationsCurrent data suggests a wide range of frailty prevalence in individuals with dementia. Future studies should systematically document frailty in adults living with dementia and its impact on medication use.     

Deficiency Citations on Inappropriate Psychotropics Use Related to Care for Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia

ObjectivesThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) initiated the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes in 2012, which helped decrease antipsychotics use. However, inappropriate use of antipsychotics and other psychotropic medications to control behavioral symptoms associated with dementia persists. Nursing homes (NHs) can be flagged for inappropriate psychotropics use as a deficiency of care citation (F-758 tag). The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore inappropriate psychotropic medication use deficiency, F-758 citations, in caring for NH residents with dementia.DesignA mixed-methods study was performed.Setting and ParticipantsDuring the first quarter of 2018 (January–March), 3526 NHs were surveyed, of which 642 received F-758 tags. Of the 642, the sample was confined to the 444 NHs that received the citation for the care of residents with dementia. Information on deficiencies was obtained from 2018 Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting data. Inspection reports for deficiencies were obtained from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Home Compare and ProPublica.MethodsQuantitative analysis was used to examine the frequency of involved psychotropic medications, scope/severity of F-758 deficiency citations, and reasons for the citations. Reasons for F-758 citations by psychotropic medication categories and scope/severity of the citations were also examined using χ² tests. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using content analysis with an inductive coding approach to summarize the inspection reports.ResultsAntipsychotics were the most involved drug category for F-758 tag citations. The 3 most common reasons for F-758 citations included failure to identify and/or monitor behavioral symptoms (178 NHs), attempt gradual drug reduction (131 NHs), and maintain 14-day limitations on Pro Re Nata (PRN) psychotropic orders (121 NHs). Compared with those with no involvement of antipsychotic drugs, facilities with antipsychotics-related F-758 tags had higher rates of failure to identify/monitor behavioral symptoms (P < .001), attempt gradual drug reduction (P < .001), and provide adequate indications for psychotropics use (P < .001). NHs with F-758 tags related to inappropriate antianxiety medication use had a higher prevalence of failure to maintain 14-day limitation on PRN orders (P < .001) and provide nonpharmacologic interventions (P < .001).Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study suggests areas for improvement that could potentially reduce inappropriate psychotropics use. Supporting quality of dementia care workforce and improving cooperation within healthcare staff and professionals are recommended to ensure proper nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions.     

介入联合手术治疗膀胱癌32例疗效分析

目的观察髂内动脉灌注化疗联合手术治疗膀胱癌的疗效。方法对32例中晚期膀胱癌先行介入治疗,再手术切除。结果32例膀胱癌完全缓解(CR)率为71．9％。结论介入治疗中晚期膀胱的手术提供了良好基础,对一部分原本行扩大切除术甚至全切的患实行单纯部分切除术,从而保留了膀胱生理功能,有助于提高患生活质量,延长生命。     

Epistaxis

Epistaxis is a common problem that can affect the whole population. The majority of cases are self-limiting and do not require any medical intervention, but epistaxis can be associated with morbidity and even death in very rare circumstances. If epistaxis does not resolve with first aid measures, or episodes are frequent, patients may require specialist assessment and treatment by ENT, either in the outpatient clinic or via an unscheduled (emergency) admission to the hospital. Here, we provide an overview of the management of epistaxis in the outpatient setting and during an emergency admission in both paediatric and adult patients. We highlight the key considerations in the history and management, covering the common and rare conditions that are associated with epistaxis. This article provides an update from our previous article published in 2018 to include the more recent literature and a useful learning resource for examinations.     

Clinical manifestations and outcomes of coronavirus disease-19 in heart transplant recipients: a multicentre case series with a systematic review and meta-analysis

Available data on clinical presentation and mortality of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in heart transplant (HT) recipients remain limited. We report a case series of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in 39 HT recipients from 3 French heart transplant centres (mean age 54.4 ± 14.8 years; 66.7% males). Hospital admission was required for 35 (89.7%) cases including 14/39 (35.9%) cases being admitted in intensive care unit. Immunosuppressive medications were reduced or discontinued in 74.4% of the patients. After a median follow-up of 54 (19–80) days, death and death or need for mechanical ventilation occurred in 25.6% and 33.3% of patients, respectively. Elevated C-reactive protein and lung involvement ≥50% on chest computed tomography (CT) at admission were associated with an increased risk of death or need for mechanical ventilation. Mortality rate from March to June in the entire 3-centre HT recipient cohort was 56% higher in 2020 compared to the time-matched 2019 cohort (2% vs. 1.28%, P = 0.15). In a meta-analysis including 4 studies, pre-existing diabetes mellitus (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.43–9.06, I² = 0%, P = 0.006) and chronic kidney disease stage III or higher (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.39–10.31, I² = 0%, P = 0.009) were associated with increased mortality. These findings highlight the aggressive clinical course of COVID-19 in HT recipients.     

Why is appropriate healthcare inaccessible for many European breast cancer patients? – The EBCC 12 manifesto

In Europe, inappropriate reimbursement and funding rules and regulations act as disincentives to best breast cancer care or, at worst, hinder best care. This problem was the focus of the 12th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) manifesto, discussed during the virtual conference. As patient involvement is indispensable in driving changes to clinical practice, Europa Donna the European patient advocacy group was closely involved in the 12th manifesto.Reimbursement policies have rarely evolved with advances in breast cancer care such as outpatient (ambulatory) care rather than inpatient admission, use of oral or subcutaneous anti-cancer drugs rather than day-hospital intravenous administration, oncoplastic surgery techniques to minimize mastectomy rates, breast reconstructive surgery, risk-reducing surgery for BRCA mutation carriers, or use of hypo-fractionated breast radiation therapy. Although each European country, region and centre will have to understand how their reimbursement policies may hinder best care and find their own solutions, the problems are similar throughout Europe and some solutions can be broadly applied.This manifesto is not calling for more funding or demanding changes that will result in more expensive care. Reimbursement, if better aligned with guidelines and optimal clinical practice, will deliver more cost-effective healthcare. This will release resources, support more equitable use of finite funding and resources, so allowing more European breast cancer patients to benefit from evidence-based treatment recommended by national and international guidelines.     

调畅五脏、调和营卫治疗自汗临证体会

通过分析汗与五脏、营卫的关系,探讨自汗证的病因病机,概括为五脏皆有汗,汗之本为心,汗之化为肾,汗之出为肺,汗之源为脾胃,汗之调为肝。又必以营卫调和为要,汗出方能有节。五脏功能失调、营卫失和均可致自汗。故提出“调畅五脏、调和营卫”的自汗证治则及处方用药,通过典型临床病案,进一步阐释诊疗思路及用药规律。     

针刺治疗视网膜色素变性的组穴规律分析

目的:基于数据挖掘技术分析文献中针刺治疗视网膜色素变性穴位的组方规律。方法:检索国家知识基础设施数据库（CNKI）、中国学术期刊数据库（CSPD）、中文科技期刊数据库（CCD）文献中治疗视网膜色素变性所使用的穴位处方,使用中医传承计算平台（V3.1）进行数据挖掘,分析针刺治疗视网膜色素变性的取经、选穴和配伍规律。结果:共纳入文献47篇,应用频次前5位的腧穴为球后、睛明、太阳、足三里、合谷;奇穴选用频次最高,经脉选用频次前3位依次为足太阳膀胱经、足少阳胆经、足阳明胃经;取穴部位以头颈部选取最多;其次为下肢部和上肢部。结论:针刺治疗视网膜色素变性的核心经脉为足太阳膀胱经、足少阳胆经及足阳明胃经,核心组穴为球后、睛明及太阳,配以足三里、合谷、光明、三阴交等穴,其取穴规律以局部取穴以及邻近取穴直达病所为主,远端取穴以足三里、合谷等辅以调理脏腑经络。     

基于“药辅合一”理念的Pickering乳技术提升儿科用药羚珠散中石菖蒲挥发油热稳定性的研究

目的 在“药辅合一”理念下导入Pickering乳技术,提升儿科用药羚珠散中石菖蒲挥发油的稳定性。方法 对羚珠散各饮片粉末进行初步表征,确定稳定剂。通过成乳量、包油量和乳剂形态筛选出最佳稳定剂质量浓度、油水比和制备方法。并使用近红外光谱（nearinfraredspectroscopy,NIRS）分析石菖蒲油在Pickering乳中的包裹状态。比较不同时间下各组别挥发油的保有量、丙二醛和过氧化物的含量。再通过GC-MS分析其中成分的变化趋势。结果 筛选出珍珠粉作为Pickering乳的稳定剂,珍珠粉质量浓度为65 mg/mL,油水比9∶11为最优成乳条件,高压均质法为最优的制备方法,NIRS分析可知石菖蒲挥发油被珍珠粉包裹,Pickering乳液中没有形成新的化学键。对比各组在不同时间段下石菖蒲油的保有率和其中丙二醛和过氧化物含量,可知40℃放置1、3、8 h的Pickering乳剂相比于石菖蒲挥发油组有更高的保有率和更低的氧化程度。GC-MS分析结果表明,相比于石菖蒲挥发油组,Pickering乳组挥发性成分的稳定性显著提高。结论 在“药辅合一”理念下Pickering乳可用于含油固...     

基于Apriori算法的含丹参-当归药对的方剂用药特点与规律分析

目的 通过挖掘整理含丹参-当归的方剂,利用统计软件系统分析其用药规律。方法 检索筛选《中医方剂大辞典》中含丹参-当归药对的方剂,利用Excel软件分析中药使用频次、频率及丹参-当归配伍特征和主治中医病证频次,运用SPSS Modeler 18.0软件关联规则Apriori算法进行数据挖掘。结果 通过统计共筛选出含丹参-当归药对的方剂390首,频次统计分析发现涉及中药504味,使用频次≥60的中药共22味,除丹参、当归外,核心高频药物为川芎、甘草、白芍、肉桂、地黄、牛膝6味。通过组方规律分析得到常用中药组合有丹参-当归-川芎、丹参-当归-甘草、丹参-当归-白芍。主治病证涉及105种,频次≥10的中医病证10种,以瘀血疼痛病症、妇科病症为主。通过网络可视化得到治疗月经病的核心中药组合为丹参-当归-川芎-白芍-香附,治疗痹证的核心中药组合为丹参-当归-川芎-肉桂,治疗虚劳病核心中药组合为丹参-当归-牛膝-肉桂-防风。结论 与丹参-当归配伍的高频中药为白芍、川芎、肉桂等,优势病证为月经病、痹证和虚劳病,揭示了丹参-当归药对的用药规律,为该药对在临床合理用药及深入研究与开发提供科学依据。