Belgian consensus on metabolic problems associated with atypical antipsychotics

A workshop was convened by a panel of psychiatrists, diabetologists and pharmacists from major Belgian hospitals to review the latest information relating to the risks with second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) for the development of metabolic disorders, especially impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. The panelists sought to formulate recommendations for practising psychiatrists when initiating and maintaining therapy with SGA, and for the switch of SGA or initiation of further treatment if metabolic complications occur. In addition, recommendations for counselling of the patient and for the cooperation between the psychiatrist and the general physician or diabetologist, respectively, were provided.     

Incidence and Mortality of Physician-Diagnosed Primary Sjögren Syndrome: Time Trends Over a 40-Year Period in a Population-Based US Cohort

Objective

To estimate the incidence and mortality rates, and their evolution over time, of physician-diagnosed primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) in residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota.

Immunogenicity and specificity of norovirus Consensus GII.4 virus-like particles in monovalent and bivalent vaccine formulations

Noroviruses, a major cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, present antigenic diversity that must be considered for the development of an effective vaccine. In this study, we explored approaches to increase the broad reactivity of virus-like particle (VLP) norovirus vaccine candidates. The immunogenicity of a GII.4 "Consensus" VLP that was engineered from sequences of three genetically distinct naturally occurring GII.4 strains was examined for its ability to induce cross-reactive immune responses against different clusters of GII.4 noroviruses. Rabbits immunized with GII.4 Consensus VLPs developed high serum antibody titers against VLPs derived from a number of distinct wild-type GII.4 viruses, including some that had been circulating over 30 years ago. Because the sera exhibited low cross-reactivity with antigenically distinct GI norovirus strains, we investigated the serum antibody response to a bivalent vaccine formulation containing GI.1 (Norwalk virus) and GII.4 Consensus VLPs that was administered to animals under varying conditions. In these studies, the highest homologous and heterologous antibody titers to the bivalent vaccine were elicited following immunization of animals by the intramuscular route using Alhydrogel (Al(OH)(3)) as adjuvant. Our data indicate that the use of both genetically engineered norovirus VLPs that incorporate relevant epitopes from multiple strains and multivalent vaccine formulations increase the breadth of the immune response to diverse variants within a genotype and, thus, prove helpful in the rational design of VLP-based vaccines against human noroviruses.     

Development of an assessment schedule for patients with low back-associated leg pain in primary care: a Delphi consensus study

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to develop consensus on (i) the content of a clinical assessment for adults presenting to primary care with low back and leg pain, and (ii) the most important items for diagnosing spinal nerve root involvement.

Methods

Existing literature and expert knowledge was used to compile a list of items pertaining to clinical history questions and examination tests employed in the assessment of patients with low back pain with suspected spinal nerve involvement. A Delphi consensus method was employed to rate the importance of items for clinical assessment and for diagnosis in two web-based rounds. A multidisciplinary group of 42, including GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths, rheumatologists, spinal orthopaedic surgeons and chiropractors took part. Items were included in the final assessment when over 70% of participants rated them as important.

Results

Thirty-four items were included in the clinical assessment, and 15 items for diagnosis. History items included pain distribution in the leg, pain quality and behaviour, altered sensation, functional limitations and yellow flags, previous history of similar symptoms and outcome of previous treatment/management. Examination items included typical neurological tests including neural tension and ‘demonstration of movement that produces symptoms’.

Conclusions

We have developed a clinical assessment schedule for patients with low back pain and leg pain presenting in primary care. History and clinical items considered important for their contribution in the diagnosis of nerve root involvement were also established.     

A research and development agenda for systematic reviews that ask complex questions about complex interventions

ObjectivesThis article outlines a research and development agenda for systematic reviews that ask complex questions about interventions varying in degree and type of complexity.Study Design and SettingConsensus development by key authors of articles on methodological challenges in systematic reviews of complex interventions, based on a 2-day workshop in Montebello, Canada, January 2012.ResultsThere is an urgent need for a more precise and consistently applied lexicon and language to disaggregate several conceptually distinct dimensions of “complexity.” Selected current evidence synthesis methods have potential application in reviews where complexity is important. There is a lack of evaluation of methods to better understand the nature of complex interventions and the optimal processes of synthesizing and interpreting evidence from these systematic reviews. Gaps in methods, knowledge, and know-how exist, and there is a need for additional guidance.ConclusionUnderstanding how complexity can impact on findings of systematic reviews is critical. Experience in applying methods that have been developed to facilitate this understanding is limited, and the degree to which these approaches improve the systematic review process or transparency is only partially understood. Future research should concentrate on the impact of complexity on the systematic review process and findings and on further methodological development.     

基于专家问卷的中医“毒”的特性分析

目的研究专家对中医"毒"的共性特征认知的趋同性。方法基于前期研究编制中医"毒"的特性《专家问卷》,对9个地区不同专业高级职称的110位专家进行问卷调查。首先对毒邪特性的全部条目进行信度效度检验,行认同率描述性统计,再通过聚类分析及因子分析对其做出分类,最后取毒邪特性为自变量,"邪气亢盛、败坏形体"为因变量做Logistic回归分析,探讨毒邪特性与该认识的相关性,初步筛选出专家对"毒"特性认识的大体共识。结果专家对"毒"的8个特性(酷烈性、暴戾性、正损性、秽浊性、损络性、兼夹性、多损性、从化性)认同率均在84%以上;经内部一致性信度分析及结构效度检验,克朗巴赫系数0.7,因子贡献率70%;聚类分析及因子分析,提示酷烈性、暴戾性、正损性常聚为一类,并构成"毒"的主要特性的因子;Logistic回归分析,发现酷烈性、暴戾性、多损性与"邪气亢盛、败坏形体"的认识关系密切(P0.05)。结论中医"毒"的主要特性是酷烈性、暴戾性、正损性;"邪气亢盛、败坏形体"的认识在一定程度揭示了毒的共性特征。     

Contrast-media-induced nephrotoxicity: a consensus report

The purpose of this study was, using consensus methodology, to document current understanding of contrast media nephrotoxicity (CMN) and to identify areas where there is disagreement or confusion. To draw up guidelines for avoiding CMN based on the current understanding of the condition established by the survey. One hundred sixty-four statements were mailed to 148 members of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) and to 48 experts in the field of CMN. They were asked about the definition, clinical features, predisposing factors and pathophysiology of CMN and about prophylactic measures. The importance of the statements was rated on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 least important, 10 most important). Fifty-three members (38 %) and 23 experts (48 %) responded. Both groups considered that an increase in serum creatinine that peaks within 3–4 days and a decrease in creatinine clearance are the most important (rating > 7) features of CMN. Enzymuria was not considered important (rating < 6). Pre-existing renal insufficiency, diabetic nephropathy, dehydration, congestive heart failure, concurrent administration of nephrotoxic drugs and the dose and type of contrast media were considered to be risk factors. Reduction in renal perfusion and damage to tubular cells were considered the main factors in the pathophysiology of CMN (rating > 6). Hydration and the use of low osmolar contrast media were thought to minimize the incidence of CMN (rating > 6). The majority of the responders (84.6 % of members and 95.5 % of experts) believe that the incidence of CMN in patients with normal renal function is less than 5 %. Of the members, 62.5 %, and 35.3 % of experts, believe that the incidence of CMN is 20–30 % in the presence of risk factors. There was disagreement about the definition of CMN, the threshold dose of contrast media above which renal complications may develop, the safe period between repeat injections, the relevance of contrast media renal retention shown on CT and whether contrast media have long-term effects on renal function. The survey showed good understanding of CMN among those who answered the questionnaires, although areas of disagreement remain which require further research. Simple guidelines are proposed. Received: 11 February 1999; Accepted: 23 March 1999     

肠外营养安全输注专家共识

目的 形成《肠外营养安全输注专家共识》（以下简称《共识》）,规范临床肠外营养安全输注操作流程,以减少肠外营养相关并发症的发生。 方法 以循证实践为指导,系统检索UpToDate、BMJ Best Practjce、英国国家卫生与临床优化研究所、国际指南网、美国指南网、加拿大安大略注册护士协会、苏格兰院际间指南网、欧洲肠外肠内营养学会、美国肠外肠内营养学会、中华医学会肠外肠内营养学分会、中国医脉通指南网、澳大利亚乔安娜布里格斯研究所循证卫生保健数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、维普中文科技期刊全文数据库、万方数据库、中国知网、PubMed、Web of Science、Scopus、Embase等中有关肠外营养安全输注的高质量证据,检索年限为建库至2021年1月。评价、提取并汇总该领域的相关推荐建议,形成《共识》初稿,通过2轮专家函询和2次专家论证会议,结合专家意见修改完善各条目内容,形成《共识》终稿。 结果 2轮专家函询的专家积极系数均为100%,专家权威系数分别为81.00%和89.50%,专家意见协调系数分别为0.13和0.15。最终《共识》包括多学科团队组建、肠外营养输注评估、操作规范、并发症管理4个方面。 结论 《共识》的制订可为临床肠外营养安全输注的规范开展提供指导依据,保障患者安全,提升服务质量。