Out-patient visits for gastrointestinal cancer at a quaternary South African hospital-trends and geospatial distribution

BackgroundThis study sought to determine trends in out-patient visits for gastrointestinal cancer (GC) at a quaternary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa; and identify geographical regions which contribute most to GC-related out-patient clinic utilization at this hospital.MethodData for GC-related outpatient visits over an 11-year period was obtained from the hospital''s administrative database. Trends were analyzed using simple regression and trend line analyses. Patient residential postal codes from the administrative database were used to determine the geospatial distribution of complex GC in KZN.ResultsStrong increasing trends in GC-related out-patient visits were noted for age >65 years old (R²=0.8014), male (R²=0.7020), female (R²=0.7292), lower GC (R²=0.7094), and rural residence (R²=0.7008). Moderate increasing trends in GC-related out-patient visits were noted for age ≤65 years old (R²=0.6556), upper GC (R²=0.6498), and urban residence (R²=0.6988). The magnitude at which the number of out-patient visits increased was greater for urban residence when compared with rural residence (p=0.006). Urban centers and some regions along the North and South coast of KZN contributed the most toward GC-related out-patient visits.ConclusionOut-patient visits for complex GC in KZN are increasing. Several regions have been identified for anti-cancer interventions and decentralized out-patient services.     

The Effect of Psychiatric Diagnosis and Psychotropic Medication on Outcomes Following Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundNearly 20% of the US adult population lives with mental illness, and less than 50% of these receive treatment. Preoperative mental health may affect postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA), yet is rarely addressed; poor outcomes increase the cost of care and burden on the healthcare system. This study examines the influence of patients with psychiatric diagnosis (PD) and taking psychotropic medication (PM) on emergency room visits, readmissions, and discharge disposition following TJA.MethodsSingle institution retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 3020 primary TJA performed between January 2017 and June 2018. Chi-squared, t-tests, and analysis of variance were used to quantify differences between groups.ResultsNine hundred seventy-six (32.3%) patients had a PD, most had depression (10.1%), anxiety (8.6%), or both (8.4%); 808 (26.8%) patients were on PM. Patients with PD were more likely to experience emergency room visits (6.3% vs 10.0%, P = .034) and skilled nursing facility discharge (11.6% vs 17.9%, P = .005). Patients taking PM were more likely to experience skilled nursing facility discharge (12.4 vs 17.1, P = .047); those taking >2 PM had the highest rate (21.6%).ConclusionPatients with PD on or off PM may experience increased healthcare utilization in the postoperative period. Increased patient education and support may reduce these discrepancies. PD is not a deterrent for TJA, but targeted interventions should be developed to provide additional support where needed and avoid unnecessary utilization of resources.     

Bidirectional relationships between future time perspective and alcohol use: an exploratory study in a clinical setting

Abstract

Gaining a better grasp on factors related to changes in alcohol use is of particular interest for clinicians. Past research has highlighted a negative link between future time perspective (i.e. a disposition guiding how individuals consider and act regarding their future) and alcohol misuse. However, much remains at stake in the understanding of this association. The objective of this research was to explore bidirectional relationships between future time perspective and severity of alcohol-related problems, in a clinical setting. The sample includes 79 patients followed up in an outpatient alcohol treatment centre. Two measurement times were planned: at entry into care and 6 months later. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out, controlling for sociodemographic variables. We found that baseline future time perspective predicted level of alcohol-related problems after 6 months in treatment, even when effects of baseline alcohol-related problems and sociodemographic variables were controlled. This study shows that the way patients see and position themselves regarding their future can affect level of alcohol-related problems. It may be useful for clinicians to identify patients with low future time perspective to offer tailored interventions and consider this dimension as a resource for change.     

雅安市精神障碍患者就诊情况及影响因素

目的 了解雅安市精神障碍患者就诊情况及影响因素，提高雅安市精神卫生服务利用质量。方法 采用分层整群随机抽样方法抽取雅安市6县2区9 000名居民作为调查对象，实际共8 876名完成调查。其中符合《精神障碍诊断与统计手册（第5版）》（DSM-5）诊断标准共1 106例，使用精神卫生服务利用调查表对精神障碍患者的就诊情况进行调查。采用χ²检验及Logistic二元回归对患者就诊情况的影响因素进行分析。结果 1 106例精神障碍患者中，曾到精神卫生专业机构就诊共173例，就诊率为15.64%（标化就诊率为15.62%）。就诊率排名后三位的病种为：物质相关及成瘾障碍（7.92%）、创伤及应激相关障碍（6.12%）、强迫及相关障碍（0.00%）。未就诊而采用自助方式者（求神拜佛、咨询亲友）共42例，其中汉族28例，少数民族14例。居住地为城市（OR=2.36，P<0.01）对精神障碍患者就诊有正向影响，家族史阴性（OR=0.49，P<0.01）、无就诊意愿（OR=0.07，P<0.01）对精神障碍患者就诊有负向影响。结论 雅安市精神障碍患者就诊率偏低，就诊方式以精神科住院及门诊就诊为主，居住地、家族史和就诊意愿影响精神障碍患者的就诊。