Infective Endocarditis Due to Treponema pallidum: A Case Diagnosed Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Aortic Valve

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Syphilitic aortitis might coexist in a dysfunctional aortic valve, but the etiology remains unclear, because microbiological diagnosis is difficult. A 62-year-old man with low-grade fever was diagnosed with aortitis and infective endocarditis, due to Treponema pallidum infection, using polymerase chain reaction analysis. This case suggests that syphilis might cause infective endocarditis.     

Compliance with clinical guidelines and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among patients living with HIV

Objective: Evaluation of provider compliance with antiretroviral (ARV) treatment guidelines and patient adherence to ARVs is important for HIV care quality assessment; however, there are few current real-world data for guideline compliance and ARV adherence in the US. This study evaluated provider compliance with US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines and patient adherence to ARVs in a US population of patients with HIV.

Methods: This was a retrospective claims study of adults with HIV-1 receiving ARV treatment between January 2010–December 2014. Follow-up began at first ARV treatment and ended at health plan disenrollment or study end. ARV regimens for treatment-naïve patients were categorized as “preferred/recommended”, “alternative”, or “non-preferred/recommended/alternative” according to DHHS guidelines. ARV adherence was evaluated using proportion of days covered (PDC) and medication possession ratio (MPR).

Results: The analysis included 25,320 patients (84.4% male, mean age 45.3 years) and 39,071 regimens. Preferred/recommended regimens were most common during each study year, but the proportion of non-preferred/recommended/alternative regimens was substantial (15.9–20.6%). Only 53.6% of patients had optimal adherence by PDC ≥0.95, and 57.9% by MPR ≥0.95. Guideline non-compliance and sub-optimal adherence were more prevalent among female vs male patients (22.6% vs 14.8% [in 2014] and 65.9% vs 53.7%, respectively).

Conclusions: Provider non-compliance with DHHS guidelines and sub-optimal ARV adherence among patients with HIV remain common in real-world practice, particularly for female patients. Healthcare providers should follow the latest clinical guidelines to ensure that patients receive recommended therapy, and address non-adherence when selecting ARV regimens.     

Management and outcome of burn injuries during pregnancy: A systematic review and presentation of a comprehensive guideline

Pregnant women are a vulnerable subgroup of burn patients, due to altered physiological state and possible adverse effect on the fetus. The aim of this study was to develop a guideline for a tailored treatment of pregnant patients with burns to optimally treat both mother and fetus. This study consists of two parts: the first part contains a systematic review that presents a comprehensive overview of the literature on the management and outcome of pregnant women who sustain severe burn injuries and based on the results of this review, a guideline on the general, obstetric and burn management was developed and presented in the second part. A total of 35 studies including 1395 patients were included. Although the clinical outcomes seemed to be similar to non-pregnant patients, one study showed that mortality might be higher in the pregnant population. Predictive factors for maternal and fetal mortality were a total burned surface area of over 40% and inhalation injury. Early surgery may lead to a higher chance of survival of mother and fetus. A comprehensive guideline on the general management of pregnant patients with burns, obstetric management and specific burn management is provided. We encourage international burn organizations and guideline committees to use and evaluate the presented guideline.     

失代偿期肝硬化患者的社区管理建议

本文结合2018年欧洲肝脏研究学会发布的《失代偿期肝硬化患者的管理临床实践指南》中关于失代偿期肝硬化相关并发症的诊疗，引发对失代偿期肝硬化患者诊疗环节中社区管理的讨论，以期全科医生在诊疗和预防工作中做出合理决策，提高该类患者的预后、生活质量等。     

Diagnosis and management of phyllodes tumours for the surgeon: An algorithm

A Phyllodes Tumour (PT) is an uncommon fibroepithelial lesion, with three histological grades – benign, borderline and malignant. PTs cause significant challenges in diagnosis, management and prognostication. Recent publications have clarified the definitions and prognostication of PTs. Contemporary data currently challenge international guidelines on PT management. We performed an in-depth literature review to develop a best-practice management algorithm for PTs.Diagnostic recommendations are that neither current imaging techniques, nor fine-needle biopsies, can reliably diagnose a PT. Core needle biopsy is the optimal diagnostic technique. Indeterminate or suspicious lesions are recommended to undergo an excisional biopsy due to the inherently heterogeneous nature of PTs.Management guidelines are that benign PTs should be completely excised, although an involved margin is acceptable in select situations. Borderline PTs should have a clear margin on excision due to their higher risk of recurrence, as well as the potential for a recurrence to progress to a malignant PT. In malignant PTs, a margin of 3 mm is acceptable as there is no reduction in recurrence risk if margins are >3 mm. Routine axillary surgery is not indicated in PTs, with axillary surgery only indicated in a histologically-confirmed positive axilla.Adjuvant treatment recommendations are that borderline and malignant PTs should be discussed at MDT, with radiotherapy considered in both. Chemotherapy should be discussed in malignant PT patients.In summary, we have developed an up-to-date simple algorithm to guide the surgeon's management of patients diagnosed with PTs and reduce excessive surgery.     

Breast reconstruction after therapeutic or prophylactic mastectomy for breast cancer: A comparison of guideline recommendations

BackgroundThe purpose of this article is to illuminate differences in published clinical practice guideline recommendations for breast reconstruction after prophylactic and therapeutic mastectomy.MethodsTen guidelines were identified through a systematic search of websites and databases of reputable oncology guideline developers, and key differences and gaps in recommendations were noted. Quality assessment of the guidelines was conducted by three reviewers using the AGREE II tool, focusing on breast reconstruction specific documents rather than the general breast cancer guidelines.ResultsThe most comprehensive guidelines were published by Alberta Health Services, Cancer Care Ontario, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Association of Breast Surgery/British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. AGREE II scores in the domains of “Scope and Purpose” and “Clarity and Presentation” were ranked relatively high for all four guidelines while “Applicability” and “Editorial Independence” were ranked relatively low. The Alberta and Ontario guidelines were the overall highest ranked guidelines across all domains.ConclusionOverall, these guidelines provide consistent recommendations on who should receive breast reconstruction education, who is a candidate for postmastectomy breast reconstruction, and the appropriate timing of reconstruction and extent of mastectomy. Future updates from all should focus on expanding to include alloplastic and autologous forms of reconstruction and should include a broad scope of relevant questions.     

Implantación de Guías de buenas prácticas en España a través del Programa de Centros Comprometidos con la Excelencia en Cuidados®

The implementation of Best practice guidelines is effective in improving clinical practice and reducing clinical variability. The Best Practice Guidelines of the Ontario Nurses Association have been implemented in Spain since 2012 following the principles of the Canadian programme of the Best Practice Spotlight Organisations® (BPSO®). The Nursing and Healthcare Research Unit (Investén-isciii) coordinates this programme in Spain, having been nominated BPSO Host by the Ontario Nurses Association.Four strategies were followed: translation of the Best Practice Guidelines, dissemination of same and of the programme, implementation of the Best Practice Guidelines and assessment of the results in competitively selected centres, and, finally, the development of sustainability mechanisms.Implementation is based on the theoretical Knowledge to Action model, which establishes a cycle of 6 phases: identification of the problem and training of selected BPSO®; adaptation to the local context; assessment of facilitators and barriers; adaptation and implementation of interventions; monitoring and evaluation of results, and sustainability. Each of these phases incorporate evidence-based elements that promote the effectiveness of implementation, such as the competitive selection of candidates to participate in the programme, selection by the institution of the guidelines to be implemented, leadership by nurses with a multi-professional approach, planning of the process from work structures that are non-vertical but with the support of the institution, the simultaneous use of multiple strategies, ongoing assessment and feedback of results. All of which is mentored and supported by the BPSO Host.There are currently 27 institutions in Spain of different characteristics that implement a total of 20 clinical guidelines. The scope and structure of the programme has recently been extended with regional BPSO Host coordinating centres, which has brought the number of institutions to 36 and the number of implemented clinical guidelines to 22.The programme has had a positive impact on organisations and the system, on care processes and on patient health. This is evidenced by enriched evidence-based professional practice, the promotion of collaborative networking and by improved patient health outcomes and the quality of care provided.