Effectiveness of a Cognitive Orientation Program With and Without Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Stopping Smoking in Hospitalised Patients

IntroductionWe have analyzed the effectiveness of high-intensity cognitive-behavioral intervention initiated during hospitalization, compared with minimal intervention. We have also analyzed whether the combination of intervention with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can increase smoking abstinence rates after 12 months of follow-up.MethodsWe studied 2,560 active smokers during their hospital stays. Of these, 717 smokers declined to participate in the study, and after minimal intervention they were asked for permission to telephone them one year later to ask if they continued to smoke. The remaining 1,843 smokers received high-intensity cognitive therapy and were randomized to receive NRT or not. The follow-up after hospital discharge was completed either in the outpatient consultation or by telephone sessions.ResultsOne year later, 7% of the patients who declined to participate in the study maintained smoking abstinence, compared with 27% of those who did participate in the study (p<0.001). There were significant differences between the group that only received behavioral treatment (21% abstinence) compared with the group that also received NRT (33% abstinence; p = 0.002). In this last group, there were significant differences (p = 0.03) between those who attended outpatient consultation (39% abstinence) and those who had telephone sessions (30%). In the multivariate analysis, the predictors for abstinence 12 months later were: having used NRT (OR 12.2; 95% CI, 5.2-32; p = 0.002) and a higher score on the Richmond test (OR 10.1; 95% CI, 3.9-24.2; p = 0.01).ConclusionsCognitive orientation interventions initiated in hospitalized smokers increase 12-month abstinence rates compared with minimal intervention, and said rates increase significantly when NRT is added.     

Gastric Emptying in Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy

In addition to gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, impaired gastric emptying time (GET) may be related to nutritional parameters and nutritional status of patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). Patients on RRT are affected by several factors such as uremic toxins, the presence of dialysate in the peritoneal cavity, and the drugs used against renal allograft rejection. In this study, we investigated the gastric emptying time and its relationship with biochemical and nutritional parameters in patients on RRT: those on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation patients. Seventy‐five patients, 44 on hemodialysis, 16 on peritoneal dialysis, and 15 renal transplant patients, were included in the study. They were examined for gastric emptying time using a radioisotopic method. The results were compared with the GET of healthy subjects. Each group of patients was evaluated in terms of hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, blood glucose, total protein, albumin, serum lipids, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and body mass index and biceps and triceps skinfold. The mean GET of patients on RRT was significantly longer than the mean GET of healthy subjects (87.8 ± 23.4 vs. 55 ± 18 min, p < 0.05). The mean GET of each therapy subgroups was significantly longer than the healthy subjects (the mean GET was 85.1 ± 22.4 min for hemodialysis, 87.7 ± 31.8 min for peritoneal dialysis, and 94.6 ± 16.7 min for renal transplant patients, respectively, p < 0.05). On the other hand, the differences in the mean GET between the three therapy subgroups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In addition, time on replacement therapy inversely and blood glucose positively correlated with GET in renal transplant patients. In conclusion, GET was longer in patients on all three RRT modalities than in healthy subjects. GET was not significantly different in dialysis patients and renal transplant patients.     

连续肾脏替代疗法对ICU急性肾功能衰竭患者的临床疗效分析

目的　探讨连续肾脏替代疗法 (CRRT)对ICU急性肾功能衰竭 (ARF)患者的血浆细胞因子、肾功能指标及其预后的影响。方法　选取我科 2 0 0 2年 6月至 2 0 0 3年 11月符合ARF的ICU患者 38例 ,其中治疗组 2 0例采用CRRT治疗 ,对照组 18例采用肾脏非替代治疗 (保守治疗 )。两组患者于治疗前、后分别抽取静脉血标本作血浆细胞因子和肾功能指标的检测 ,并统计两组患者的临床死亡病例数。结果　与对照组比较 ,治疗组的血浆肿瘤坏死因子、白细胞介素 6、白细胞介素 8及血肌酐和血尿素氮水平有显著改善 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,而临床死亡率改变不明显 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论　CRRT能有效清除ICU的ARF患者的炎性细胞因子 ,改善肾功能指标 ,但其最终预后仍然很差。对于ICU的ARF患者 ,应该强调预防的重要性。     

Effect of Surgical Stress on Immune Function in Patients with Urologic Cancer

Background: To determine the immunosuppressive effect of surgery for urologic cancers, multiple variables of immune function were measured serially before and after operation in patients with urologic cancer.
Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained before operation and at postoperative day 7 and 14 from 20 patients with bladder cancer, renal pelvic, or ureteral cancer, or renal cell carcinoma.
Results: In patients with bladder cancer who were undergoing radical cystectomy with use of intestine for urinary diversion, the serum level of immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) increased, and serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, and IgM decreased after operation. In contrast, the number of CD25+ lymphocytes significantly increased. Transurethral resection of bladder cancer also resulted in an increase in serum IAP level, however, the number of CD4+ and human leukocyte-associated HLA-DR+ lymphocytes increased. In patients with renal pelvic or ureteral cancer undergoing nephroureterectomy with cuff, the level of serum IAP increased and serum IgG level decreased after operation. By contrast, the number of CD3+ lymphocytes increased. In patients with renal cell carcinoma, radical nephrectomy led to a significant increase in the number of CD8+ lymphocytes.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that surgical stress in patients with urologic cancer may result in both suppression and stimulation of host immunity.     

Vascular Dysfunction in ESRD Patients Under Replacement Therapy

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in ESRD patients. Endothelium exerts a number of vasoprotective effects, such as vasodilatation, suppression of smooth muscle cell growth, and inhibition of inflammatory responses impairment of endothelial functions can leads to vascular dysfunction. This study involved 25 ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) (group 1), 15 ESRD patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis (PD) (group 2) and 20 healthy control subjects (group 3). For all groups complete medical history and thorough examination, biochemical Laboratory tests including renal function tests, calcium, phosphorus, intact PTH and Echocardiography. Endothelial function was assessed by Flow mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (FMD) evaluated non-invasively by B-mode ultrasonography. Comparison of FMD of brachial artery shows significant difference between hemodialysis group and control (p < 0.001), peritoneal dialysis group and control group (p < 0.001), and between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis group (p < 0.001). Multiple regression test for brachial artery flow mediated dilatation shows significant correlations with age (p < 0001), serum LDL (p = 0.04), hematocrit value (p < 0.001), serum PTH (P = 0.01) and presence of DM (p = 0.009). No correlation is found with duration of dialysis (p = 0.57), total cholesterol (p = 0.62), serum triglyceride (p = 0.10) nor with calcium phosphorus products (p = 0.08). Endothelial function is impaired in ESRD patients. PD patients had more endothelial dysfunction when compared to HD patients. ED is independently affected by age, LDL, PTH, hematocrit and presence of diabetes mellitus. The main correctable factors affecting ED are Hematocrit, PTH, and LDL.     

围手术期心理支持疗法对不同焦虑水平手术应激反应的影响

手术应激反应与围手术期病人的紧张与焦虑有关。本文分析了围手术期心理支持疗法对不同焦虑水平手术应激反应的影响，发现该法能通过调整病人的焦虑程度提高心理内稳态，改善心境，维持正常应激能力，消除过度应激反应，进而减少围手术期心身并发症，提高麻醉手术的安全性。     

Smoking Behavior and Perceived Stress in Cigarette Smokers Undergoing Elective Surgery

Background: The forced abstinence from cigarettes accompanying surgery in smoke-free facilities may increase psychological stress by removing a coping mechanism and by nicotine withdrawal. The authors tested the hypothesis that abstinence from cigarette smoking contributes to psychological stress in the perioperative period.

Methods: The authors assessed measures of nicotine withdrawal (Hughes-Hatsukami nicotine withdrawal scale) and perceived stress (including the Perceived Stress Scale) in 141 cigarette smokers scheduled to undergo elective surgery. To separate the effects of stress arising from tobacco abstinence from the effects of other perioperative stressors, such as pain, these measures were also obtained in 150 surgical patients who did not use tobacco. Assessments were performed at intervals beginning at the time of preoperative medical evaluation and ending 30 days postoperatively.

Results: Perceived Stress Scale scores were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in smokers throughout the study period. There was little significant interaction between smoking status and time, indicating that changes in Perceived Stress Scale score during the perioperative period did not differ between smokers and nonsmokers. The same result was found if analysis was restricted to data collected before hospital discharge (and thus during assured abstinence). Similar results were found for the nicotine withdrawal scale, suggesting that smokers did not experience more withdrawal symptoms relative to nonsmokers.     

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events After Parathyroidectomy in Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy

World Journal of Surgery - A majority of patients with end-stage renal disease suffer from secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is associated with osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease....     

PTH 1-34 Replacement Therapy Has Minimal Effect on Quality of Life in Patients With Hypoparathyroidism

In addition to hypocalcemia, patients with hypoparathyroidism report poor quality of life (QOL), complaining of fatigue and “brain fog.” Parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy can effectively manage hypocalcemia; however, the effects of PTH treatment on QOL are unclear. Thirty-one patients with hypoparathyroidism were treated in an open-label study with full replacement subcutaneous PTH 1-34 twice daily for up to 5.3 years, with individualized fine-dosing titration. Prior to initiation of PTH 1-34, conventional therapy was optimized. The 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey, Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were assessed at PTH start (baseline), every 6 months on PTH, and after PTH discontinuation. The SF-36 assesses physical function (PF), physical role limitations (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), emotional role limitations (RE), social function (SF), and mental health (MH). Compared to population norms, patients at baseline had lower scores in RP, GH, VT, and MH (p < 0.05), consistent with impaired QOL. With PTH therapy, only GH at 6 months and VT at 12 months improved (p < 0.05). At the last treatment time point, RP, VT, and SF improved compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, follow-up scores were unchanged from baseline or last PTH treatment, except for SF, which had decreased at follow-up compared to on-PTH (p < 0.05). On the FSI, there were no changes in fatigue frequency; perceived interference was improved at 12 and 18 months and composite severity was improved only at 60 months (p < 0.05). The 6MWT measures did not change. In conclusion, hypoparathyroidism is associated with decreased QOL. Despite the bias in open-label studies to predict improvements in QOL, PTH therapy had limited and non-sustained effects on QOL, inconclusive changes in fatigue experience, and no change in the 6MWT. Although PTH 1-34 can adequately manage the hypocalcemia in hypoparathyroidism, its effects on QOL appear to be minimal. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.     

吸烟与腰椎间盘突出症预后关系的探讨

目的 :探讨吸烟与腰椎间盘突出症手术预后关系。方法 :研究对象为住院行腰椎间盘突出症手术治疗患者共计 3 2 1名 ,患者术前记录吸烟量 ,按吸烟量分为 3组 :正常组、轻度吸烟组和重度吸烟组。同时记录自我评定抑郁量表(SDS)评分 ,术前腰腿痛程度 (VAS)。疗效评价标准根据北美脊柱协会制定的 60项指标结合临床实际制定出评价量表。结果 :术前疼痛评分 ,SDS评分 ,术后改善率重度吸烟组和轻度吸烟组明显高于不吸烟组 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ,说明吸烟者术前更加疼痛 ,抑郁发生率较高 ,术后改善率差。重度吸烟组和轻度吸烟组的SDS评分、术后改善率比较有统计学差异 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ,而术前疼痛评分无明显统计学差异。正常组与抑郁组之间术前疼痛和改善率有统计学差异 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ,说明抑郁患者术前有更明显的疼痛和较差术后改善率。吸烟者更易患抑郁症即吸烟是抑郁的危险因素 ,相对危险度OR =1.889( 95 %CI 1.165～ 3 .0 63 )。结论 :吸烟是腰椎间盘手术的不利因素 ,吸烟与抑郁之间有相关性。吸烟可以导致一个较差的手术效果 ,因此减少或停止吸烟可能增加手术的改善率。     

Use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is among the more common and less lethal malignancies, yielding a large population of survivors. The incidence of hypogonadism increases in the same elderly population of men who most frequently develop prostate cancer, and the risk of becoming hypogonadal is increased further by prostate cancer therapy. The relative safety of replacing testosterone to reduce symptoms of hypogonadism in men who have been treated for prostate cancer is not well established. We review the available data, provide suggestions for approaching the management of prostate cancer survivors who suffer hypogonadal symptoms, and describe other diagnostic and therapeutic uses of testosterone that have been employed in patients with prostate cancer.     

Surgical Interventions for Renal Replacement Therapy from the View of Nephrologists

Summary BACKGROUND: The number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing worldwide at a rate of approximately 5 % per year. In Austria, 6049 patients were suffering from ESRD in the year 2001, an annual rate of 1093 patients. Higher age of patients and co-morbidities are forcing nephrologists to find the optimal renal replacement therapy (RRT) and access modality for the individual patient. METHODS: For patients with ESRD needing RRT, both nephrologist and surgeon should be consulted to ensure optimal management and treatment including vascular access surgery. Patients planned for peritoneal dialysis (PD) are treated with the cooperation of a visceral surgeon. A catheter is inserted into the pelvic area to enable solution exchange. In patients who are to undergo hemodialysis (HD), nephrologists have to decide whether the cardiac condition is suitable for surgical access creation such as fistula or graft. Otherwise alternative hemodialysis devices such as a central venous catheter (CVC), or subcutaneously implantable ports (Dialock^®), have to be discussed. Access function is routinely monitored during dialysis treatment, but still remains the weak component of extracorporeal RRT responsible for 40 % of hospitalization of HD patients. RESULTS: At the dialysis unit of the University Hospital of Graz, 107 patients were under RRT (70 HD and 37 PD), and 235 patients were hemodialyzed in private units in Graz in 2001. 81 ESRD patients were newly enrolled in the chronic HD program. 131 HD accesses were created in new HD patients and patients under treatment for chronic HD. 36 patients developed HD access complications and in these patients, 181 surgical and/or radiological interventions were performed. CONCLUSIONS: In 12 % of the HD patients in Graz, access problems occurred. These patients have a high frequency of surgical and radiological interventions. Access monitoring and measurement of recirculation may help to reduce the complication rate by 38 %. Before onset of RRT, patients need special management to ensure the best dialysis modality. ESRD patients who are suffering from cardiac diseases, diabetes mellitus, or bad peripheral vascular status need a multidisciplinary approach with nephrologists, cardiologists, surgeons and radiologists working together to find the optimal access for dialysis treatment.     

Parathyroid Hormone and T-Cellular Immunity in Uremic Patients in Replacement Dialytic Therapy

Abstract: We studied 54 patients in replacement dialytic therapy divided into two groups: Group 1, 26 patients with normal parathyroid hormone (PTH) (10–80 pg/ml); and Group 2, 28 patients with elevated PTH (80–400 pg/ml). Total T lymphocytes, CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8 ratio were evaluated. We found a reduction of total T lymphocytes in both groups compared with controls. A decrease of CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio with a rise of CD8 occurred in Group 2 but not in Group 1. In Group 2, PTH presented a linear correlation with CD8 and a reverse correlation with total T cells, CD4, and CD4/CD8 ratio. PTH might act on T-cellular immunity with an immunosuppressive effect from the earlier phases of hyperparathyroidism.     

神经阻滞联合全麻在老年髋关节置换术中的麻醉效果及对患者应激反应的影响

目的:分析神经阻滞联合全麻在老年髋关节置换术中的麻醉效果及对患者应激反应的影响。方法:选取德州市人民医院2017 年6 月—2019 年6 月收治的130 例老年髋关节置换术患者,随机分为两组,对照组65 例术中予以全麻,观察组65 例予以腰丛- 坐骨神经阻滞联合全麻,对比两组患者的麻醉效果、手术指标、镇痛效果及应激反应。结果:观察组的麻醉优良率是98.46%,高于对照组的89.23%,差异有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05);观察组的下床活动时间、拔管时间及出院时间均比对照组短,差异有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05);术后2 h、8 h、12 h、24 h 及48 h 时,观察组的疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)均比对照组低,差异有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05);手术30 min、术毕时、术后1 h、术后1 d、术后2 d 时,观察组的皮质醇及C 反应蛋白水平比对照组低,且手术30 min 时,观察组的去甲肾上腺素水平比对照组高,术毕时、术后1 h、术后1 d、术后2 d,观察组去甲肾上腺素水平比对照组低,差异有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05)。结论:神经阻滞联合全麻有助于提升老年髋关节置换术患者的麻醉效果,改善其手术指标,提高镇痛效果,并降低应激反应。