Differential Diagnosis of Acute Diarrhea

Acute diarrhea is a condition of increased water stool content, stool volume, and number of bowel movements that lasts less than 14 days. Mild diarrhea is usually self-limiting; however, undertreated moderate to severe diarrhea may cause severe dehydration and lead to hypovolemic shock. In order to prevent severe dehydration and treat patients appropriately, it is crucial for health care providers to determine the right diagnosis of patients with acute diarrhea. This article focuses on pathophysiology, general patient presentation, diagnostic tests and differential diagnosis lists of acute diarrhea to discuss which diagnosis should be made based on patient presentation and objective data.     

Longitudinal association of egg intake frequency with cardiovascular disease in Chinese adults

Background and aimsReducing dietary cholesterol is generally acceptable for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Eggs are nutrient-dense and common food items across the world, while rich in cholesterol. The potential effects of egg intake on cardiovascular health remain uncertainty and have been under debate in past decades.Methods and resultsA nationwide cohort of 20,688 participants aged 16–110 years without CVD at baseline were derived from the China Family Panel Studies. Egg consumption was assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We adopted stratified Cox proportional hazards model with random intercepts for provinces to evaluate associations of egg intake with CVD incidence. During a median follow-up of 6.0 years, we identified 2395 total CVD incidence and mean egg consumption was 3 times/week. Egg intakes were associated lower risks of CVD incidence in the multivariate-adjusted model. Compared with the non-consumers, the corresponding HRs (95% confidence interval) for total CVD events were 0.84 (0.74–0.94) for 1–2 times per week, 0.78 (0.69–0.88) for 3–6/week, and 0.83 (0.72–0.95) for ≥7/week. Similar relationships were found in hypertension. Approximately non-linear relationships were observed between egg consumption with total CVD and hypertension incidence, identifying the lowest risk in 3–6 times/week. Subgroup analyses estimated lower risks of total CVD and hypertension in females only, with significant effect modification by sex (P for interaction = 0.008 and 0.020).ConclusionEgg consumption may be associated with lower risks of CVD incidence among Chinese adults. Our findings could have implications in CVD prevention and might be considered in the development of dietary guidelines.     

Is present pharmacy education adapted to needs? Survey results from young practitioner views regarding pharmacy education outcome towards a national reform in Hungary

BackgroundThe pharmacist career is constantly adapting to societal and health care needs. The past decade has seen a growing demand for curricular development to align graduation outcome with workforce competencies.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify expectations for both didactic and experiential components of a new curriculum based on young pharmacist practitioner views.MethodsAn online survey questionnaire was used in 2019–2020 to evaluate the pharmacy curriculum to detect indicators or key areas which require comprehensive reform.ResultsThe predominant majority of the 205 study participants recommended reduction in credit hours for Natural Sciences (78.54%) and a similar increase in the Theoretical and Practical Expertise Module (77.9%). Pharmaceutical care, clinical therapeutics and clinical pharmacy competencies should also be more highlighted in the program. Findings indicate the current training does not prepare for problem-solving and daily workplace challenges (72.7%) or for extended pharmacist skills and competencies (71.71%). Results show inconsistency in practical training experience, as all respondents participated in practical training for drug manufacturing and analysis but 61.0% reported no hands-on skills training in a hospital-clinical simulation setting. Indications for practitioner involvement into the natural sciences and biomedical subjects (86.3%) confirm the obvious need for more practice-oriented education.ConclusionsEducational reforms seem to be inevitable to achieve measurable improvement in professional practice and skills competency. The country specific demand for a needs-based pharmacy education reflects global trends but may also provide useful insights for individual transitions to transform education through practice and improve practice through education.     

中青年楼宇人群的家庭医生签约服务需求满足状况及影响因素研究

背景 上海市正逐步将家庭医生签约服务拓展至楼宇功能社区，目前中青年楼宇人群的服务需求满足状况尚不知晓。研究中青年楼宇人群的家庭医生签约服务需求满足状况，分析其影响因素，可以为制定和调整家庭医生楼宇服务相关政策提供参考。 目的 探讨中青年楼宇人群的家庭医生签约服务需求满足状况，并分析其影响因素。 方法 于2019年12月至2020年12月，在上海市虹口区、浦东新区、静安区采用典型抽样法抽取楼宇，在选中楼宇内采用整群随机抽样法抽取中青年人群（18~59岁）开展问卷调查，共回收有效问卷2 272份，本研究以其中有家庭医生服务利用经历的1 137例受试者为研究对象。涉及的主要调查内容为受试者的社会人口和经济学特征、健康状况、对家庭医生签约服务的了解度及家庭医生签约服务需求满足状况（包括基本服务需求、个性化服务需求两方面，均采用Likert 5级评分法）。采用多元有序Logistic回归分析中青年楼宇人群家庭医生签约服务需求满足状况的影响因素。 结果 39.61%（425/1 073）的受试者表示家庭医生签约服务比较满足/完全满足其基本服务需求，39.01%（419/1 074）的受试者表示家庭医生签约服务比较满足/完全满足其个性化服务需求。多元有序Logistic回归分析结果显示：户籍、职业类别、年收入、自评健康状况、对家庭医生"1+1+1"签约服务了解度、对家庭医生信任度、对家庭医生服务能力评价是中青年楼宇人群基本服务需求满足状况的影响因素（P<0.05）；性别、年收入、患慢性病情况、对家庭医生"1+1+1"签约服务了解度、对家庭医生团队组成了解度、对家庭医生服务能力评价是中青年楼宇人群个性化服务需求满足状况的影响因素（P<0.05）。 结论 约40%的楼宇人群认为家庭医生签约服务能够满足其基本服务需求/个性化服务需求，主要影响因素可概括为楼宇人群的社会经济状况、健康状况、对家庭医生签约服务的认知度、家庭医生的服务能力4个方面。建议加强对家庭医生签约服务的宣传，并针对楼宇人群特点和差异化需求，为其定制个性化的服务方案；同时，着力提升家庭医生服务能力，丰富签约服务内涵。     

Vasovagal reactions after COVID-19 vaccination in Japan

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine administration started in February 2021 in Japan. As of December 2021, approximately 75% of the population aged ≥12 years had received two doses of vaccine. We conducted a study to investigate vasovagal reactions (VVR) after COVID-19 vaccination using data on adverse events following immunization. The crude reporting rate of VVR (cases/1,000,000 doses) after vaccination was 9.6 in all age groups combined, and was more frequent in the younger age groups: 28.6 and 37.2 in individuals aged 10–19 years and 20–29 years, respectively. In individuals aged 10–29 years, the rate was similar in males and females (33.0 and 34.2, respectively, p = 0.53); but was higher after dose 1 than after dose 2 (57.4 and 8.8, respectively, p < 0.001). Based on these results, caution needs to be exercised when vaccinating adolescents and young adults, especially with dose 1 of COVID-19 vaccines.     

Lateral Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer: Do we all Think the Same? A Review of Multidisciplinary Obstacles and Treatment Recommendations

Lateral lymph nodes in low, locally advanced, rectal cancer have proven implications for local recurrence rates, which increase drastically in the presence of persistently enlarged lateral lymph nodes. These clinical implications warrant a thorough understanding of lateral nodal disease with awareness and knowledge from all three specialties involved – radiology, radiation oncology, and surgery – to ensure proper treatment. Relevant literature for each specialty, including all current guidelines and perspectives, were examined. Variations in definitions and treatment paradigms were evaluated. There is still no consensus for the standardized treatment of lateral nodal disease. Each discipline works according to their own available evidence, but relevant data are scarce. Current international guidelines and standard recommendations for the diagnostics and treatment of lateral lymph nodes are lacking. This results in differing perspectives and interpretations between the disciplines which can lead to challenging communication in an area where multidisciplinary collaboration is essential. This review addresses this by presenting the current evidence, perspectives and practices of each specialty and makes suggestions for each phase of the diagnostic and treatment process for patients with lateral nodal disease. By doing this, steps are taken toward achieving international consensus, and multidisciplinary collaboration.     

Dietary patterns and the risk of abnormal blood lipids among young adults: A prospective cohort study

Background and aimsThe extent to which dietary patterns influence the risk of abnormal blood lipids throughout young adulthood remains unclear. The aim was to investigate whether early young adulthood dietary patterns predict the risk of abnormal blood lipids during later young adulthood.Methods and resultsWe used data from a long running birth cohort study in Australia. Western dietary pattern rich in meats, processed foods and high-fat dairy products and prudent pattern rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains and low-fat dairy products were derived using principal component analysis at the 21-year follow-up from dietary data obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. After 9-years, fasting blood samples of all participants were collected and their total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterols and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured. Abnormal blood lipids were based on clinical cut-offs for total, LDL and HDL cholesterols, and TG and relative distributions for total:HDL and TG:HDL cholesterols ratios. Log-binomial models were used to estimate risk of each outcome in relation to dietary patterns. Greater adherence to the Western pattern predicted increased risks of high LDL (RR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.06, 2.03) and TG (1.90; 1.25, 2.86), and high ratios of total:HDL (1.48; 1.00, 2.19) and TG:HDL (1.78; 1.18, 2.70) cholesterols in fully adjusted models. Conversely, a prudent pattern predicted reduced risks of low HDL (0.58; 0.42, 0.78) and high TG (0.66; 0.47, 0.92) and high total:HDL (0.71; 0.51, 0.98) and TG:HDL (0.61; 0.45, 0.84) cholesterols ratios.ConclusionThis is the first prospective study to show greater adherence to unhealthy Western diet predicted increased risks of abnormal blood lipids, whereas healthy prudent diet predicted lower such risks in young adults. Addressing diets in early course may improve cardiovascular health of young adults.     

Oncology healthcare professionals’ knowledge,attitudes, and practices regarding young carers

ObjectiveIncreasing numbers of youths are facing a relative’s cancer. In this context, some are required to provide significant support and are called young carers (YCs). However, little is known about how these youth are viewed and supported by health professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of oncology healthcare professionals regarding YCs.MethodsThirty-one oncology professionals working in France (adult and pediatric departments and homecare services) participated in semi-structured interviews.ResultsThe results indicated that almost all professionals had already met a YC and could identify several situations in their professional context. Their knowledge of YCs appeared to influence their attitudes and practices. They perceived this situation in a rather superficial way when their discourse and ideas were explored in-depth. They mentioned some ideas for improving support for YCs, but also many barriers.ConclusionThe results highlight a moderate level of awareness. Thus, it is necessary to enhance providers’ awareness and knowledge of YCs.Practice implicationsAwareness campaigns and training programs need to be developed for oncology healthcare professionals to help them better identify, understand, and support YCs and their families. This type of action would positively impact patient care.     

Needs of young adults with type 1 diabetes during life transitions – An Australian-Danish experience

ObjectiveTo explore the similarities and differences in the needs of young adults with T1D during life transitions.MethodsData obtained for this paper was based on three qualitative studies carried out in Denmark and Australia. In total, 33 Individual interviews and two focus groups (n = 46) were conducted. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe most pertinent themes related to the importance of support from peers with diabetes and healthcare professionals to help young adults adjust to independent living. The main difference experienced by Australian and Danish young adults related to the willingness and barriers in clinical attendance during this transitional period.ConclusionsClinical care for young adults with diabetes can be better adapted to support this population as they transition through significant milestones by engagement on the young adults' terms and encouraging young adults to seek out peer support. It is vital that clinical care is tailored to support them in order to ensure the best transition into adulthood with diabetes.Practice implicationsClinicians need to adopt a person-centred approach when engaging with young adults with diabetes. Considerations need to be made around external factors related to life events in young adulthood that may influence diabetes care.