The comprehensive geriatric assessment: when, where, how

Cancer is increasingly a disease of the aged, a segment of the population that is the fastest growing. Often, cancer adds on to the progressive deterioration of normal aging and to the impairment associated with the presence of multiple concomitant medical problems. Thus, the likelihood that cancer leads to disability is much greater among older patients than younger ones. In consideration of the dimension of the problem, and of the peculiarities of the elderly patient, it has recently been proposed that a new approach termed 'comprehensive geriatric assessment' (CGA) might allow a better management and more efficient care of elderly patients with cancer. The systematic introduction of CGA in clinical research and in daily practice can contribute to: identify cancer patients for whom we could expect the greatest benefit from treatment; assess their physiologic, functional and health-related quality of life; formulate appropriate treatment and management strategies; monitor clinical and functional outcomes; provide a more accurate evaluation of prognostic indicators.     

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection: who,when, what for and how

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious clinical problem because of its worldwide distribution and possible adverse sequelae. It is particularly important in the Asia–Pacific region where HBV infection is highly prevalent and usually acquired perinatally or in early childhood. It is now known that chronic HBV infection is a dynamic interaction between virus, hepatocyte and the host’s immune response. The natural history of chronic HBV infection can be divided into three phases: high replicative or viraemic ‘immune tolerance phase’ followed by ‘immune clearance phase’ and then the low replication ‘residual phase’. The clinical course of chronic HBV infection is characterized by a series of exacerbations and remissions during the ‘immune clearance phase’, which may lead to hepatic decompensation, progression of liver disease, development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is of paramount importance to arrest HBV replication as early as possible to reduce infectivity, improve hepatic injuries, prevent progression to cirrhosis or HCC and thereby prolong survival. There are many potentially effective agents with different mechanisms of action and there is substantial accumulated experience with these therapies, but there is also still a need for practical recommendations such as: (i) who should be treated; (ii) when to treat such patients; (iii) which drug(s) or strategy would be most cost‐effective for the patient under consideration; (iv) how the patient should be monitored; (v) what benefit the patient can expect from such treatments; (vi) what can be done for special groups of patients, such as decompensated cirrhosis immunocompromised patients or children; and (vii) what treatment of chronic HBV infection could be expected in the 21st century. The Asia–Pacific region not only has the greatest number of patients with chronic HBV infection, but also has conducted important clinical trials. It is relevant and mandatory to coordinate all current knowledge to reach a consensus and to make guidelines for the treatment of chronic HBV infection in this region.     

Hurricanes and heart failure: A review of the who, what, when, and where of beta-blocker therapy

?-Blocker therapy has changed the landscape of treatment for chronic heart failure (HF). First recommended in published guidelines in 1999, the use of ?-blockers has become the cornerstone of therapy. ?-Blockers reduce both morbidity and mortality and also improve quality of life. This paper reviews and highlights the evidence supporting the current usage of ?-blockers in HF. It also shares practical, real world tricks-of-the-trade regarding such usage drawn from 8 years of experience with over 3000 patients in eight safety net hospitals. Each hospital mentioned in this paper participates in an HF disease management program serving the needs of Louisiana’s indigent population.     

Surgery for pancreatic necrosis： ＂Whom, when and what＂

Acute pancreatitis is a common condition in which 70% of patients will recover with simple medical management. For patients who develop extensive or infected pancreatic necrosis the outcome is significantly different with a high morbidity and mortality[1]. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for these patients but several unresolved issues remain including who requires surgery, when is the optimal time to intervene and what technique should be used.     

Tube feeding - who, how and when

Summary. The concept of enteral nutrition is well established for a long time. During the past twenty years different percutaneous tube feeding techniques have been established. The most popular method is the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) which is applied as a pull-through technique in Germany. In some patients this approach is not successful and alternative techniques must be used (e. g. introducer method). In some patients nasal or percutaneous feeding tube have to be placed directly into the intestine. There are different systems available for this approach which have to be clearly indicated. As a second step after initiation of enteral nutrition therapy quality of life can be improved by implanting secondary systems (e. g. button gastrostomy).A standardized technique for inserting tubes is essential to have a successful long-term outcome in enteral nutrition and care after has to be integrated into the regimen. The aim of this article is to demonstrate different enteral nutrition tube techniques their indication, contraindication and long-term follow-up.     

Maternal mortality: who, when, where, and why

The risk of a woman dying as a result of pregnancy or childbirth during her lifetime is about one in six in the poorest parts of the world compared with about one in 30 000 in Northern Europe. Such a discrepancy poses a huge challenge to meeting the fifth Millennium Development Goal to reduce maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015. Some developed and transitional countries have managed to reduce their maternal mortality during the past 25 years. Few of these, however, began with the very high rates that are now estimated for the poorest countries-in which further progress is jeopardised by weak health systems, continuing high fertility, and poor availability of data. Maternal deaths are clustered around labour, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period, with obstetric haemorrhage being the main medical cause of death. Local variation can be important, with unsafe abortion carrying huge risk in some populations, and HIV/AIDS becoming a leading cause of death where HIV-related mortaliy rates are high. Inequalities in the risk of maternal death exist everywhere. Targeting of interventions to the most vulnerable--rural populations and poor people--is essential if substantial progress is to be achieved by 2015.     

Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias: when, how and where?

Despite major advances in the understanding of mechanisms, better diagnostic methods and a wide array of new modes of therapy, management of cardiac arrhythmias continues to be a challenge. Because of possible deleterious effects of antiarrhythmic therapy, the decision about when and how to treat should be weighed carefully with emphasis on symptoms and the prognostic significance of the arrhythmia. When possible, the high risk patient should be referred to a center where expertise and diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities allow optimal treatment.