Geoepidemiologic variation in outcomes of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, progressive, hepatobiliary disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts. Its natural history is one that generally progresses towards cirrhosis, liver failure, cholangiocarcinoma, and ultimately disease-related death, with a median liver transplantation-free survival time of approximately 15-20 years. However, despite its lethal nature, PSC remains a heterogenous disease with significant variability in outcomes amongst different regions of the world. There are also many regions where the outcomes of PSC have not been studied, limiting the overall understanding of this disease worldwide. In this review, we present the geoepidemiologic variations in outcomes of PSC, with a focus on survival pre- and post-liver transplantation as well as the concurrence of inflammatory bowel disease and hepatobiliary neoplasia.     

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in secondary school children in Dhaka city,Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Depression is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, and often starts at a young age. Depression in young people can increase the risk of unhealthy lifestyle behaviour and can lead to substantial disability, social problems, poor health, and suicide. Other research has examined depressive symptoms among adult populations in Bangladesh, but little is known about other age groups. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptoms among secondary school children of Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

Design: A self-completed questionnaire was administered to 898 students from eight secondary schools of Dhaka, the capital City of Bangladesh. Of the respondents, 755 (372 males, 383 females; average age 14.26 years; SD 1.15) completed the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). A score of 10 or more was used to indicate depressive symptoms. Parents completed a separate questionnaire to provide individual and household/family-level data. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) was used to assess sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with adolescent depressive symptoms.

Results: Among the responding adolescents, 25% reported depressive symptoms with prevalence more common among females than males (30% vs. 19%). Factors significantly associated with symptoms of depression included being female, aged 15–16 years, self-perception of non-normal weight, feeling unsafe at school, sleep disturbance, low life satisfaction, high intake of sugary drinks, and regularly skipping breakfast.

Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are prevalent among secondary school children in urban Bangladesh. Interventions for adolescents with depressive symptoms could focus on lifestyle practices such as weight management, personal safety, sleep hygiene and healthy eating.     

A physical therapy programme for functional motor symptoms: A telemedicine pilot study

Introductionfor a proportion of patients with functional motor symptoms (FMS), specific physiotherapy has recently emerged as a promising treatment. Aim of the present study was to assess in a sample of patients with FMS the efficacy of a physical therapy-based telemedicine programme on the motor symptoms themselves and on some psychological variables such as anxiety, depression, alexithymia and quality of life.Materials and methodseighteen patients were recruited. The programme consisted of 24 sessions: three face-to-face sessions (at week 0 (T0), 12 (T1) and 24 (T2)) and 21 tele-sessions. Each session included education, movement retraining exercises and development of a management plan. All patients underwent the following assessment at T0, T1 and T2: Psychogenic movement disorders rating scale (PMDRS), assessment of depression, anxiety, alexithymia and quality of life. Self-assessment of outcome (CGI) was recorded at T1 and T2.ResultsOn the CGI improvement was reported by 66,7% of patients at T1 and 77,8% at T2. A significant improvement over the three time points was shown for PMDRS and for the following domains of the SF-36: general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health.Conclusionthe use of two innovative approaches for FMS (physiotherapy and telemedicine), combined together, might have a valuable role in the treatment of this neuropsychiatric condition.     

Estudio de sensibilidad de Escherichia coli productores de infecciones del tracto urinario comunitarias en Galicia. Período: 2016-2017

ObjectiveEscherichia coli (E. coli) is responsible for the majority of community urinary tract infections. The objective of the study is to know the sensitivity spectrum of E. coli in urinary tract infections to be able to recommend the appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment.DesignCross-sectional, multicentric, retrospective study.LocationGalician 8 public hospitals, practically the entire population of Galicia (Spain).Participants43,137 outpatients with urinary tract infection due to E. coli isolated in urine in 2016/2017.Main measurementsAnalyzed variables: demographic, minimum inhibitory concentration and interpretation of sensitivity according to CLSI criteria and resistance mechanisms. The antibiotics studied were: ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, cefepime, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, cotrimoxazole, imipenem and ertapenem. The identification and sensitivity were made mainly by automated methods.ResultsThe percentages of non-sensitivity of E. coli isolates were: ampicillin 49.2%, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 17.8%, cefotaxime 6.7%, cefepime 5.7%, ertapenem 0.04%, imipenem 0.05%, gentamicin 9,1%, ciprofloxacin 26.2%, fosfomycin 3.3%, nitrofurantoin 2.4% and cotrimoxazole 23.9%. The non-sensitivities were higher in men and as age increases. Six percent of E. coli were producers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.ConclusionsThe empirical treatment in Galicia for uncomplicated cystitis produced by E. coli in women continues to be nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin. In men under 15 years of age, fosfomycin is indicated and in men older than 15 years, treatment in our environment should include culture and administer a 3rd generation oral cephalosporin empirically. Cotrimoxazole and ciprofloxacin are not recommended as empirical treatment because of their high resistance rates.     

儿童肥胖症机理与少儿推拿综合调理

儿童单纯性肥胖症是以儿童过度营养、运动不足和行为异常为特征的全身脂肪组织过度增生性疾病,不仅影响少儿身心健康,还为成年后多种疾病埋下隐患。单纯性肥胖已成为21世纪威胁儿童健康的头号杀手,也是人们关注的严重公共卫生问题之一。通过中西医对儿童肥胖症机理的不同认识,特别是中医对儿童肥胖症的病因病机进行分析,提出儿童肥胖症的治疗要根据肥胖症患儿临床表现辨证施术,以少儿推拿为主的综合治疗调理方法,配合中药、针灸、拔罐、刮痧等疏通经脉、调和气血、平衡阴阳,调整脏腑功能,辅助心理治疗及行为矫正,在瘦身、强身的同时亦关注少儿心理健康。     

针刺足运感区结合局部电针围刺治疗中风后尿失禁的临床观察

[目的]观察针刺足运感区结合局部电针围刺与常规针刺、常规针刺联合足运感区治疗中风后尿失禁的临床疗效差异。[方法]将90例患者随机分为治疗组、对照1组和对照2组,每组30例,治疗组予针刺足运感区结合膀胱体表相应投影区域电针围刺;对照1组参照全国高等中医药院校"十三五"规划教材《针灸治疗学》中有关"尿失禁"的治疗选穴;对照2组在对照1组的基础上联合足运感区针刺,每日上午行神经内科常规治疗,每日下午行中风后尿失禁的临床治疗,每次30 min,每周连续治疗6次,6次为1个疗程,疗程间休息1 d,共2个疗程。观察3组治疗前后尿失禁程度、尿失禁临床症状评分及日常生活活动能力量表(ADL)评分,并比较3组患者的临床疗效。[结果] 3组患者治疗后尿失禁程度、尿失禁临床症状评分及ADL评分均较前改善(均P0.05),治疗组对尿失禁程度及尿失禁临床症状评分的改善较其他两组更明显(P0.05),且治疗组和对照2组的ADL评分明显优于对照1组(P0.05)。治疗组总有效率为93.3%(30/28),优于对照1组76.7%(30/23)和对照2组83.3%(30/25,P0.05)。[结论]针刺足运感区结合局部电针围刺治疗中风后尿失禁疗效显著。