On Psychological Continuity and Dementia

This letter responds to the article “On the Authority of Advance Euthanasia Directives for People with Severe Dementia: Reflections on a Dutch Case,” by Henri Wijsbek and Thomas Nys, in the September-October 2022 issue of the Hastings Center Report.     

Neurophysiological evaluation of visual function in iRBD: potential role in stratifying RBD conversion risk

Study objectivesTo evaluate neurophysiological alterations of visual function in idiopathic REM sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) both as markers and predictors of neurodegenerative disorders.MethodsIn a longitudinal follow-up study of 46 consecutive iRBD patients (follow-up duration 8.4 ± 3.4 years), the baseline parameters in luminance-contrast pattern (VEPp), red-green color (VEPc) and motion-onset (VEPm) Visual Evoked Potentials in iRBD were compared to early (ePD) and advanced (aPD) Parkinson's Disease subjects. Parameters of latency and amplitude of iRBD converters to neurodegenerative disease were compared with those of the non-converters.ResultsThe VEP P100 mean latency values for both eyes and for both stimulation checks (30′ and 15’) were significantly longer in all the three groups of patients as compared to controls; moreover latencies were longer in aPD than in the iRBD group who did not differ from the ePD group. The same held true when we analyzed the number of abnormal subjects belonging to each diagnostic group with a higher number of abnormal subjects in the aPD group compared to both the ePD and in iRBD groups. Chromatic and motion potentials were not different from controls and did not differ in the 3 diagnostic groups. The iRBD subjects who converted to a neurodegenerative disorder showed longer P100 latencies and a higher occurrence of VEPp abnormalities than those who did not convert. Again chromatic and motion VEPs were not different depending on conversion.ConclusionsIn iRBD patients the detection of an abnormal VEPp should be considered as a red flag for possible synnucleinopathy, eventually contributing in stratifying the risk of phenoconversion.     

Factors associated with the perception of parents and children regarding obesity-related terminology used by healthcare professionals in a sample of Korean children and adolescents with obesity

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare how children with overweight or obesity and their parents perceive the obesity-related terms used by healthcare professionals and investigate the factors associated with these perceptions.MethodsChildren and adolescents aged 8–16 years with overweight or obesity (n = 192) and their parents participated in the cross-sectional study by responding to a 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire on 10 obesity-related terms, including “chubby,” “weight problem,” “weight,” “overweight,” “BMI,” “obese,” “heavy,” “fleshy,” “fat,” and “severely obese.”ResultsFor both children and parents, “chubby” was the most desirable term (mean ± standard deviation: 3.50 ± 1.12 and 2.95 ± 0.83, respectively), and “severely obese” was the least acceptable term (2.83 ± 1.17 and 2.02 ± 1.02, respectively). Although the parents preferred all the terms less than the children did (p < 0.001), “weight problem” was considered most motivating for a child to lose weight (3.93 ± 0.94). Among children, older age and a larger self-perceived body size were associated with a more positive response towards obesity-related terms, whereas having internalized or externalized problems were negatively associated with these terms. Parents with a history of cardiovascular disease considered “severely obese” (β = ?0.419, [95% CI: ?0.739, ?0.099]) and “fat” (β = ?0.457, [95% CI: ?0.750, ?0.164]) less desirable.ConclusionsChildren and adolescents had a higher preference for obesity-related terms than their parents and preferred that healthcare professionals use euphemistic terms such as “chubby,” or neutral terms such as “weight problem.” Children with larger self-perceived body sizes or older age had a higher preference for obesity-related words. The terms used by healthcare professionals to describe excess weight must be motivating and respectful for all family members participating in the treatment.     

基于ADOPT问题解决模式下的个体化护理对口腔正畸患者自我 护理能力的影响

目的 探讨ADOPT问题解决模式下的个体化护理对口腔正畸患者自我护理能力的影响。方法 选 取2021年1月-12月我院正畸科收诊的80例正畸患者作为观察对象，采用自拟抽签法随机分为对照组与观察 组，各40例。对照组采用常规护理，观察组采用ADOPT问题解决模式下的个体化护理，比较两组干预前后 自我管理能力、生活质量以及社会心理适应能力。结果 两组干预后1个月生活质量以及自我管理能力评分 高于干预前，且观察组高于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。观察组接受水平、持续担忧、积极 面对评分高于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 ADOPT问题解决模式下的个体化护理有助于 提升口腔正畸患者自我管理能力及社会心理适应能力，进而提高患者生活质量。     

Accountability in reminder-based adherence interventions: A review

ObjectiveInterventions to elicit accountability capitalize on social behaviors to improve adherence but are distinct from reminders. However, little is known about the impact of accountability in reminder-based adherence interventions. Through a literature review, we aim to identify the frequency and effectiveness of accountability in reminder-based intervention studies.MethodsPubMed and PsycArticles were searched for reminder-based adherence studies. Articles were categorized as reminder-only or reminder with accountability studies. Studies were characterized by outcome measures, and differences between control and intervention groups were compared for studies that used electronic monitoring devices.Results165 studies met the inclusion criteria; 154 used reminders without accountability (93%). 79 of the 154 reminder-only studies (51%) improved adherence in intervention groups compared to controls. Eleven of the 165 studies (6.6%) included an accountability aspect. The intervention group had better adherence than controls in 10 out of the 11 reminder with accountability studies (91%).ConclusionsAlthough distinct from reminders, accountability can be incorporated in reminder-based interventions. However, it is not commonly included in reminder-based interventions.Practice implicationsIt is important to consider accountability’s effects on encouraging patient medication adherence. The addition of accountability interventions may further boost adherence, but few studies currently incorporate these types of interventions.     

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurological defects

Introduction and ObjectivesNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be considered one of the most common causes of liver disease in our days and is regarded as one of the newest vascular risk factors for cerebrovascular and other neurological diseases.Materials and methodsWe studied a group of neurological outpatients, divided into two homogenous groups based on the presence or absence of NAFLD.Results and conclusionsWe testified an independent relationship between NAFLD and common vascular risk factors (age, sex, educational level, BMI, cholesterol and lipid assessment, Hb1ac). At the same time, we ascertained an independent relationship between NAFLD and more recently recognized vascular risk factors, such as lack of folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D-OH25, and increased levels of homocysteine. Finally, we have documented that NAFLD showed worse executive and frontal functions, and behavioral changes, such as depressive mood and anxiety, and apathy.     

呼吸内科PBL教学法在全科医师规培中的应用

目的探索基于呼吸治疗团队教学的以问题为基础的教学法(problem based learning,PBL)在全科住院医师规范化培训中的应用。方法呼吸系统以老年人慢性疾病为主,是全科医学生教育的重要环节。开展PBL教学法的教学探索,以期达到对全科医师的专科疾病培训,使其理解并掌握相关疾病知识,能适应未来医学发展和社会需要,为患者提供更好的社区医疗服务。结果PBL教学法的精髓是发挥问题对学习过程的指导作用,调动学生学习的积极性和主动性,整体提升学生的综合素质和能力。结论在全科医学规范化培训教学中运用PBL教学,带教老师以任务为主线、以学员为主体进行引导,可极大的提高学生的学习兴趣、主动性以及自学能力,从而培养学员的分析问题、解决问题的能力。可以更好的帮助学员形成以患者为中心的临床诊断思路、提高解决临床问题的综合能力及团队合作能力。     

Horloge interne,sommeil et médias électroniques : le comportement à risque des adolescents

The internal clock located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus is controlled by genetic factors (clock genes) and environmental factors (light-dark and sleep-wake alternations). Light is the major component of the clock control. Clock desynchronization occurs when the internal clock is no longer in phase with the environment resulting in a phase shift (phase advance or phase delay depending of the time of exposure to light). An increasing number of children and adolescents are experiencing chronic exposure to light at night due to misuse, including late at night, of electronic media. This results in a clock desynchronization, i.e. a shift of the clock circadian phase (which is delayed with exposure to light at night) with concomitant health issues: disturbances of sleep which is both shortened and delayed, mood alterations, fatigue etc. This risky behavior of children and adolescents is becoming a public health issue.