Utility of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube Test Compared with Tuberculin Skin Test in Diagnosing Tuberculosis in Indian Children with Malnutrition

This prospective cohort study was conducted to compare the accuracy of QuantiFERON®-TB (QFT) Gold In-Tube test and tuberculin skin test (TST) in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in predominantly bacille Calmette–Guerin-vaccinated children with a high incidence of malnutrition. The sensitivity of the QFT versus the TST was 69.6% versus 52.9% for WHO-defined TB, with specificity of 86% versus 78.3%, respectively. The concordance of the TST and QFT was 79% overall (κ = 0.430), 62.5% in those with WHO-defined TB and 85.7% in those without TB. Majority of the QFT+/TST − discordance was seen in children with TB, whereas majority of the TST+/QFT − discordance was seen in those without TB. The TST was more likely to be negative in children with moderate-to-severe malnutrition (P = 0.003) compared to the QFT, which was more likely to be positive in younger children. The significantly better performance of the QFT in malnourished children and those at younger ages supports its use for TB diagnosis in these subpopulations.     

益肠通秘汤联合中药热奄包治疗老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘效果观察

目的探讨益肠通秘汤联合中药热奄包治疗老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘的临床疗效。方法选取2016年4月至2017年1月湖北省中医院肛肠科收治的60例老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘患者作为研究对象,并按照随机数表法随机分为试验组(30例)与对照组(30例),其中试验组患者在口服益肠通秘汤的同时采用中药热奄包热敷治疗,对照组患者单纯口服乳果糖口服溶液治疗,对比观察两组患者的腹胀、排便时间、排便顺畅度、便后不尽感等变化情况以及临床疗效与复发情况。结果治疗14 d后,两组患者腹胀、排便时间、排便顺畅度及便后不尽感较治疗前均明显改善,且尤以试验组改善最为显著,两组患者腹胀、排便时间、排便顺畅度及便后不尽感评分分别与治疗前对比,P均0.05,差异具有统计学意义;治疗14 d后,两组患者腹胀及便后不尽感评分对比,P均0.05,差异具有统计学意义;治疗14 d后,两组患者排便时间及排便顺畅度评分对比,P均0.05,差异无统计学意义;治疗14 d后,试验组患者中痊愈17例、显效6例、有效4例、无效3例、总有效率为90. 00%,对照组患者中痊愈9例、显效8例、有效3例、无效10例、总有效率为66.67%,两组对比,P0.05,差异具有统计学意义;治疗后6个月随访,试验组17例痊愈患者中复发4例,对照组9例痊愈患者中复发6例。结论益肠通秘汤联合中药热奄包治疗老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘,可有效缓解患者腹胀不适、排便时间延长、排便费力及便后不尽感等临床症状,疗效显著,且复发率较低,值得临床推广应用。     

Comparative outcomes of vascular access in patients older than 70 years with end-stage renal disease

Objective

The advantage of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in older patients requiring dialysis is controversial. We reviewed our vascular access experience in patients ≥70 years of age (older group) compared with younger patients.

疏肝健脾法治疗腹泻型肠易激综合征1例

肠易激综合征（IBS）是一种常见的功能性疾病，中医病名为"肠郁"。郭朋教授根据IBS生理、病理特点，以疏肝健脾法调和肝脾，辨证施治，取得良好疗效。文章从病因病机、辨证论治及经典案例介绍等几个方面对郭教授治疗IBS经验进行系统阐述，以期为中医药治疗IBS提供理论和方法学参考。     

腹腔镜联合支架与开腹联合支架治疗左半结肠癌伴梗阻患者的对比研究

目的比较腹腔镜联合支架与开腹联合支架治疗左半结肠癌伴梗阻患者的疗效。方法选取2014年1月～2017年1月40例左半结肠癌伴梗阻患者,将其分为观察组和对照组,每组20例。观察组患者采用腹腔镜联合支架治疗,对照组患者采用开腹联合支架治疗。对比分析两组的术后情况、应激反应情况及细胞免疫功能变化情况。结果与对照组相比,观察组术后排气时间短,抗生素使用时间短,术后住院时间短,住院费用高,术后72 h CRP水平低,术后72 h CD3~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,观察组术后并发症发生率低,但差异无统计学意义。结论相比开腹联合支架治疗,腹腔镜联合支架治疗左半结肠癌伴梗阻患者,术后消化道功能恢复快,应激反应较轻,对细胞免疫功能影响较小,住院时间短,近期疗效优势明显。     

Intérêt du test HPV dans le dépistage primaire du cancer du col en milieu rural à Madagascar

Background

Testing for high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) is an effective approach to the prevention of cervical cancer. This study in the Atsinanana area of Madagascar aimed to compare the management of women screened by visual inspection after coloration with acetic acid (VIA) and the management of women screened by HPV with VIA as a triage test.

Impact of Premorbid Malnutrition and Dysphagia on Ischemic Stroke Outcome in Elderly Patients: A Community-Based Study

Objective: The present study was performed to assess nutritional status and its relationship with clinical outcomes in elderly stroke patients.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, 253 stroke patients were studied. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to assign patients to three groups: malnourished, at risk of malnutrition, and well nourished. Northwestern Dysphagia Patient Check Sheet was administered to all patients. Anthropometric measures, including body mass index (BMI), calf circumferences (CC), mid-arm circumferences (MAC), and triceps skinfold thickness were brought out. In addition, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and biochemical tests were performed.

Results: Of 253 patients, 34.4% were malnourished, 42.3% were at risk of malnutrition, and 23.3% were well nourished. The malnourished patients had significantly lower BMI, CC, and MAC (p?<?0.05). The levels of albumin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly different among the groups (p?<?0.001). The admission and 3-month follow-up mRS scores, as well as dysphagia, were significantly higher in the malnourished patients and those at risk of malnutrition (p?<?0.001). In addition, mRS scores at admission and 3-month follow-up scores, as well as the length of hospital stay (LOS), were significantly correlated with MNA score, dysphagia, BMI, CC, MAC, albumin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p?<?0.05). Significant unadjusted associations were observed among MNA scores, BMI, CC, MAC, dysphagia scores, NIHSS scores, length of hospital stay (LOS), albumin, hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) with a poor outcome. With a multivariate logistic regression analysis, NIHSS scores and MNA scores remained significantly associated with the poor outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.

Conclusions: The findings of the present study underline the importance of nutritional status in elderly stroke patients.