Impact of training level on postplacental levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine device expulsion

Objective

To determine the association between provider training level and postplacental intrauterine device (IUD) outcomes following insertion instruction by email only.

A pilot study of levonorgestrel concentrations and bleeding patterns in women with epilepsy using a levonorgestrel IUD and treated with antiepileptic drugs

Objectives

We explored levonorgestrel (LNG) concentrations, bleeding patterns and endometrial thickness in women with epilepsy (WWE) initiating an LNG-intrauterine device (IUD) co-administered with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Preservative-free versus preserved brimonidine %0.15 preparations in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension: short term evaluation of efficacy,safety, and potential advantages

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the efficacy, safety, and potential advantages of the preservative-free versus preserved brimonidine %0.15 preparations in patients with primer open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods: Forty-two eyes of the 21 treatment-naive patients with POAG or OHT were enrolled in this study. Eyes were randomly assigned to receive brimonidine-purite 0.15% or preservative-free brimonidine 0.15% two times daily. Efficacy of the two eye drops was assessed by measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) at 9–10 am at baseline and week 4. Safety and potential advantages of the drops were evaluated at weeks 4 in terms of ocular symptoms and tear parameters. Ocular symptom values of the patients were evaluated with a scale of 0–4 (0?=?no discomfort and 4?=?severe discomfort).

Results: Both of the brimonidine tartrate formulations resulted in statistically similar IOP reduction (preserved formulation; ?5.2?mmHg [22.9% reduction] preservative-free formulation; ?5.7?mmHg [24.1% reduction], p?=?0.37). It was found that brimonidine tartrate formulations with and without topical preservatives did not produce a statistically significant difference in pain, stinging, and blurred vision at the upon instillation (p?>?0.05). However, the burning sensation was significantly higher in the preservative-free formulation at the first instillation compared to the preserved formulation (p?=?0.01). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the two formulations in terms of symptoms (itching, burning, tearing, stinging, and photophobia) and tear parameters during the day (p?>?0.05).

Conclusions: Although topical preservative-free brimonidine tartrate treated eyes had a more burning sensation at the first drop, the two formulations were similar in terms of ocular tolerability in the short term period. Also, both formulations were found to reduce IOP at a similar rate.     

Impact of training on use of inhalational techniques of different inhaler devices: A single institutional cross sectional observation study

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of training on use of inhalational techniques of different inhaler devices in spirometry proved cases of COPD and Bronchial Asthma in a tertiary care centre.MethodsA total of 128 spirometry proved cases of Asthma and COPD were enrolled. They were equally distributed in four groups comprising of 32 patients each according to their inhalation devices namely pMDI, Rotahaler, Accuhaler and Turbohaler. Patients were asked to demonstrate their inhalation technique and errors were noted according to their inhaler specific checklist. Patients were also interviewed regarding their knowledge about inhalation devices. Training about proper inhalation techniques was given to every participant. Rechecking of inhalation technique was again done at the second visit after 2 wks in the similar manner. Correct and incorrect steps of inhalation technique again evaluated by filling the checklist of the individual device to see post training improvement.ResultIn our study, out of total cases more than one third of the patients were >60 yrs of age (41.4%) and most of the patients were males (62.5%). During the interview at first visit, almost 92% patients claimed to know how to use the inhalation device correctly but in reality most of the patients (around 96.1%) had committed at least one mistakes in their inhalation technique among all the inhalation steps. Errors were noted in different steps of inhalation including the essential steps among all the four devices. Statistically significant improvement in inhalation techniques including the essential steps were found among all the four devices after educational intervention and demonstration of sequential steps involved in particular inhaler.ConclusionOur study confirmed a significant increase in the percentage of improvement in inhalation technique after proper demonstration and training about the inhalation devices. Inhalation technique including essential steps of inhalation significantly improved in all the four devices used.     

内路小梁切开联合白内障超声乳化吸除术治疗原发性开角型青光眼的短期疗效

目的 对比内路小梁切开联合白内障超声乳化吸除术和单纯内路小梁切开术治疗合并白内障的原发性开角型青光眼（primary open angle glaucoma，POAG）的早期手术效果和并发症。设计 病例对照研究。研究对象2018年3月至2019年3月在北京同仁眼科中心住院手术治疗的合并白内障的POAG患者36例（36眼）。方法 根据患者选择的手术方式，将患者分为两组：行内路小梁切开联合白内障超声乳化吸除术的POAG患者12例（12眼）为观察组，行内路小梁切开术的POAG患者24例（24眼）为对照组。记录并比较两组患眼术前、术后1、2、3、5天、1周、1个月时眼压、视力、并发症和使用降眼压药的种类。主要指标 眼压、视力、并发症和降眼压药物种类。结果 观察组和对照组术前最高眼压分别为（34.08±8.21）mmHg和（37.75±8.61）mmHg（P=0.46）,观察组术后第1天、1周、1个月的平均眼压分别为（20.75±11.89）mmHg、（21.23±8.72）mmHg、（15.00±2.22） mmHg，对照组术前、术后第1天、1周、1个月的平均眼压分别为（16.08±5.63）mm Hg、（22.08±11.48）mmHg、（16.05±5.25）mmHg，两组术后眼压整体变化趋势随时间降低（P<0.001）,两组间术后眼压波动虽然存在差异，但是无统计学意义（P=0.77）。观察组和对照组术后1个月降眼压幅度分别为53.09%±15.19%和55.68%±15.63%（P=0.64）。观察组和对照组术前降眼压药物使用种类分别为（2.67±0.99） 种和（3.08±0.72）种（P=0.16），术后1个月时分别下降至（0.17±0.58）种和（0.96±1.33）种（P=0.06）。观察组和对照组组术后眼压反跳发生率分别为16.67%和54.17%（P=0.03）。前房积血为术后最常见的并发症, 观察组发生率为83.3%，对照组为62.5%（P=0.21)。观察组和对照组睫状体脱离发生率分别为25.0%和75.0%（P=0.004）。观察组中，8眼（66.7%）术后生活视力提高，4眼（33.3%）视力恢复至术前水平，0眼视力降低；对照组中，20眼（83.3%）术后生活视力恢复至术前水平，4眼（16.7%）视力降低（P<0.001）。结论 对于合并白内障的开角型青光眼患者，内路小梁切开联合白内障超声乳化吸除术和单纯内路小梁切开术在术后1个月时降眼压作用相似。联合手术术后视力改善明显，眼压反跳发生率较单纯内路小梁切开术低，是一种安全有效的手术方式，远期效果有待进一步观察。     

Health and economic benefits of advanced pneumatic compression devices in patients with phlebolymphedema

Objective

Phlebolymphedema (chronic venous insufficiency-related lymphedema) is a common and costly condition. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of evidence comparing phlebolymphedema therapeutic interventions. This study sought to examine the medical resource utilization and phlebolymphedema-related cost associated with Flexitouch (FLX; Tactile Medical, Minneapolis, Minn) advanced pneumatic compression devices (APCDs) relative to conservative therapy (CONS) alone, simple pneumatic compression devices (SPCDs), and other APCDs in a representative U.S. population of phlebolymphedema patients.

Utilization and Complications of Central Venous Access Devices in Oncology Patients

Purpose: To describe how central venous access devices (CVADs) are utilized for ambulatory oncology patients and to evaluate the rate of complications. Method: Single institution retrospective study of oncology patients with CVADs who received systemic treatment at the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC) between 1 January and 31 December 2018. Results: A total of 480 CVADS were placed in 305 patients, of which 408 (85%) were peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and 72 (15%) were implanted vascular access devices (PORTs). The incidence of early and late complications was 9% and 24%, respectively. For the entire cohort, the rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was 16%, of which 9% were CVAD-related thrombosis (CRTs) and 7% were distant VTE. The CRT rates were similar for PICCs and PORTs (9% vs. 7%). A total of 6% of CVADs were complicated by infection (i.e., localized infections and bacteremia), with a total infection rate of 0.43 and 0.26 per 1000 indwelling days for PICCs and PORTs, respectively. The incidence of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) was greater for PICCs than PORTs, at a rate of 0.22 compared with 0.08 per 1000 indwelling days, respectively. The premature catheter removal rate was 26% for PICCs and 18% for PORTs. PORTs required more additional hospital visits. Conclusions: PICCs were utilized more frequently than PORTs and had a higher rate of premature removal. The rates of VTE and CRT were similar for both CVAD types. PORTs had a lower rate of infection per 1000 indwelling days. However, the management of PORT related complications required more visits to the hospital and oncology clinic.     

原发性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性的临床特征分析

目的 分析原发性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性患者的临床特征。 方法 本研究纳入2013年4月至2017年4月于首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院眼科中心住院治疗的原发性闭角型青光眼(primary angle closure glaucoma ,PACG)合并视网膜色素变性(retinitis pigmentosa,RP)患者32例,和同期入院的不合并RP的PACG患者229例。根据青光眼类型将其分为4组,急性闭角型青光眼合并RP组(acute angle closure glaucoma with retinitis pigmentosa, AACG-RP)12例、慢性闭角型青光眼合并RP组(chronic angle closure glaucoma with retinitis pigmentosa, CACG-RP)20例、急性闭角型青光眼不合并RP组(AACG-non RP)94例、慢性闭角型青光眼不合并RP组(CACG-non RP)135例,比较4组患者的发病年龄和眼轴长度等参数。 结果 患者平均发病年龄AACG-RP组(39.00±12.07)岁、CACG-RP组(43.85±12.79)岁、AACG-non RP组(66.44±9.40)岁、CACG-non RP组(63.95±10.42)岁,4组之间差异有统计学意义(F=47.70,P<0.05)。患者平均眼轴长度AACG-RP组(21.31±1.37)mm、CACG-RP组(22.33±1.09)mm、AACG-non RP组(22.31±1.03)mm、CACG-non RP组(22.47±1.01)mm,4组之间差异有统计学意义(F=19.09,P<0.05)。 结论 原发性闭角型青光眼患者合并视网膜色素变性患者中,急性闭角型青光眼患者较慢性闭角型青光眼患者发病更早,眼轴更短。原发性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性患者,尤其是急性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性患者较无视网膜色素变性者发病年龄更早,且眼轴更短。