Early Abortion in Family Medicine: Clinical Outcomes

PURPOSE Clinical innovations have made it more feasible to incorporate early abortion into family medicine, yet the outcomes of early abortion procedures in this setting have not been well studied. We wished to assess the outcomes of first-trimester medication and aspiration abortion procedures by family physicians.METHODS Prospective observational cohort study conducted from August 2001 to February 2005 of 2,550 women who sought pregnancy termination in 4 clinical practices of family medicine departments and 1 private office/training site.RESULTS The rate of successful uncomplicated procedures for medication was 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.5%–97.0%) and for aspiration was 99.9% (CI, 99.3%–1). Adverse events and complications of medication abortions were failed procedure (ongoing pregnancy; n = 19, 1.45%); incomplete abortion (n = 16, 1.22%); hemorrhage (n = 9, 0.69%); and patient request for aspiration (n = 1, 0.08%). One (0.08%) missed ectopic pregnancy was seen among patients receiving medication. Four types of adverse outcomes were encountered with aspiration: incomplete abortion requiring re-aspiration (n = 21, 1.83%); hemorrhage during the procedure (n = 4, 0.35%); missed ectopic pregnancy (n = 3, 0.26%); and minor endometritis (n = 1, 0.09%). Missed ectopic pregnancies were successfully treated in the inpatient setting without mortality (overall hospitalization rate of 0.16 of 100). All other complications were managed within outpatient family medicine sites. Rates of complication did not vary by experience of physician or by site of care (residency vs private practice).CONCLUSIONS Complications of medication and aspiration procedures occurred at a low rate, and most were minor and managed without incident.     

Patient Adherence to Three Dose Completion of the Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine in a Private Practice

The human papillomavirus quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) recombinant vaccine is effective in preventing cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer. Maximal protection is achieved with completion of all three recommended doses. A retrospective chart review was performed to (1) assess the current vaccine series completion rates in a private practice multispecialty suburban setting and (2) identify factors associated with failure to complete the vaccine series. Chi-square and independent samples t test were used for data analysis. A total of 4,117 patients out of 10,821 eligible patients received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine between October 1, 2006 and April 30, 2010. Overall, 69.5?% (n?=?2,863) of patients who received one dose of the HPV vaccine completed all three doses in a valid time frame, representing 26.5?% of all eligible patients. Patients who completed the series were younger (16.8 vs. 18.2, p?<?0.05), less likely to have a sexually transmitted disease diagnosis prior to initiation of the series (57.7 vs. 69.8?%, p?<?0.05), and more likely to have visited the pediatrics department compared to family medicine, internal medicine, and OB/GYN departments (75.9, 65.7, 57.0, 60.9?%, respectively, p?<?0.05). Deaths, pregnancies, and adverse drug reactions were not identified as independent factors impacting completion rates. The results indicate that adolescents, patients visiting the pediatrics department and those without a prior STD diagnosis completed the vaccination series more frequently than adults managed in family medicine, internal medicine, and OB/GYN departments.     

Cardiac tolerance of moxifloxacin: Clinical experience from a large observational French study in usual medical practice (IMMEDIAT study)

BACKGROUND: Moxifloxacin (Izilox) is prescribed for bacterial respiratory tract infections. ECG analysis done in clinical trials showed a mean QT prolongation at 6 ms that could lead to Torsades de Pointe. However, Izilox was well tolerated during clinical trials. To confirm the correct safety profile of Izilox in a large sample of patients, a French PMS study - MMEDIAT - was carried out in usual medical practice. METHODS: This prospective observational uncontrolled and monitored study was conducted in 13,578 patients with respiratory tract infection and treated with moxifloxacin 400 mg daily (duration: 5 to 10 days in accordance to the Market Authorization). Any clinical event being potentially a surrogate of a ventricular rhythm disorder ("critical event") were collected and analyzed by a Scientific Committee in charge to determine the potential cardiac origin of the reported event and to establish a causal relationship with the treatment. RESULTS: Among 13,578 patients, 1046 adverse events (678 patients [5%]) were reported, including 854 drug related events (564 patients [4.15%]). Of these 1046 adverse events, 95 (62 patients [0.46%]) were serious. A total of 189 critical adverse events (159 patients [1.2%]) were reviewed by the Scientific Committee. After analysis, 34 adverse events (28 patients [0.21%]) were assessed from potential cardiac origin. Of these 34 adverse events, 25 (19 patients [0.14%]) were assessed as drug-related: palpitations [13 patients], tachycardia [4 patients], malaise [4 patients], vertigo [3 patients] and pallor [1 patient]. All adverse events were transient and had favourable outcome. CONCLUSION: This PMS study confirmed that Izilox is well-tolerated in usual medical practice, in adequation with the safety data obtained in clinical trials.     

Lessons from a patient partnership intervention to prevent adverse drug events.

BACKGROUND: Patient safety 'best practices' that call for patient participation to prevent adverse drug events have not been rigorously evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To consider lessons learned from a patient partnership intervention to prevent adverse drug events among medical in-patients. DESIGN: Prospective randomized, controlled pilot trial. SETTING: Boston teaching hospital. Patients. Two hundred and nine adult in-patients on a general medicine unit. INTERVENTION: Intervention patients (n = 107) received drug safety information and their medication list; controls (n = 102) received drug safety information only. Measurements. Adverse drug events and close-call drug errors were identified using chart review and incident reports from nurses, pharmacists, and physicians. Patients and clinicians were surveyed about the intervention. RESULTS: In 1053 patient-days at risk, 11 patients experienced 12 adverse drug events and 16 patients experienced 18 close calls. There was a non-significant difference between intervention patients and controls in survey responses and in the adverse drug event rate (8.4% versus 2.9%, P = 0.12) and close-call rate (7.5% versus 9.8%, P = 0.57). Eleven percent of patients were aware of drug-related mistakes during the hospitalization. Among nurse respondents, 29% indicated that at least one medication error was prevented when a patient or family member identified a problem. CONCLUSION: Partnering with in-patients to prevent adverse drug events is a promising strategy but requires further study to document its efficacy.     

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders in an urban general medicine practice

BACKGROUND: Most research on the prevalence of mental disorders in primary care has been conducted in practices that serve middle- and upper-income patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of major mental disorders in a primary care practice that serves a predominantly low-income immigrant patient population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey; criterion standard. SETTING: Urban general medicine practice. PARTICIPANTS: Systematic sample of consecutive adult patients with scheduled appointments. Of 1266 approached eligible patients, 1007 (80%) participated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder, and suicidal ideation; drug use disorder; functional status; work loss; family distress; and mental health treatment. RESULTS: Major depression (18. 9%), generalized anxiety (14.8%), panic (8.3%), and substance use (7. 9%) disorders and suicidal ideation (7.1%) were highly prevalent. Many patients had more than 1 disorder (range, 36.3% [substance use disorder] to 76.9% [panic disorder]). In multivariate analyses, each disorder was significantly associated with an increase in impairment after controlling for demographic characteristics, perceived health, and the other disorders. A minority of patients with each disorder (range, 22.5% [substance use disorder] to 46.4% [panic disorder]) reported receiving mental health treatment in the last month. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically significant depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation are quite common in this practice and associated with significant functional impairment. Primary care practices that serve poor urban immigrant populations have a critical need to provide access to mental health services. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:876-883     

Lower inhaled steroid requirement with a fluticasone/salmeterol combination in family practice patients with asthma or COPD

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on inhaled steroid and long-acting beta2-agonist combination products may not be representative for the asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in family practice. OBJECTIVES: To compare in a group of doctor-diagnosed patients with asthma or COPD, the effects of a lower dose of fluticasone in a combination product with salmeterol with conventional treatment (i.e. a higher dose of fluticasone), both supplemented with as-needed use of a short-acting bronchodilator. METHODS: The study was a 12-week multicentre, randomized controlled, double-blind trial. In all, 41 family practices recruited 137 patients diagnosed with asthma and 40 patients diagnosed with COPD. Primary outcome was the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) as percentage of predicted. Morning peak expiratory flow (PEF), symptom-free days, health status [Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)], exacerbations, use of short-acting bronchodilators and adverse events were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: FEV1% predicted increased 2.6% (SD 8.3) in fluticasone/salmeterol- and 0.01% (SD 6.6) in fluticasone-treated patients (overall: P=0.036, asthma: P=0.025 and COPD: P=0.700). PEF increased in favour of fluticasone/salmeterol in asthma patients only (P=0.016). Fluticasone/salmeterol-treated asthma patients had 1.1 more symptom-free days per week (P=0.044); no such effect was observed for COPD (P=0.769). There were no differences in total AQLQ and SGRQ scores, exacerbations, use of reliever puffs or adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: In family practice patients diagnosed with asthma, several treatment goals were better achieved with a lower dose of fluticasone and salmeterol in a combination product than with a higher dose of fluticasone. We found no differences between the two approaches for patients with COPD.     

一线抗结核药不良反应发生情况及对继续治疗的影响

目的了解北京市怀柔区疾病预防控制中心结核病科门诊免费抗结核化疗的肺结核患者不良反应发生情况,为预防和降低不良反应发生提供科学依据。方法由结核科专业医师查阅2006—2010年病例资料,包括大病例、病程、服药记录、实验室检查等,回顾性分析抗结核药物所致不良反应的发生情况。结果共出现药物不良反应的有183例,占查阅病例的35.1%。其中轻度反应75例,中度反应101例,重度反应7例;有95%的患者不良反应发生在服药2个月内,有79例患者因不良反应而停(换)药,有2例患者死亡。结论抗结核药物引起的不良反应发生率相对较高,对肺结核的治疗产生了一定的影响,要积极监测并及时正确处理药物不良反应,使患者能够坚持完成治疗,避免发生严重后果。     

艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗依从性相关情况分析

目的 探讨艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗依从性相关情况。方法 选取我院2018年6月—2020年6月诊治的118例艾滋病患者作为研究对象。根据患者对治疗的依从性分为依从性好组（n=65）及依从性差组（n=53）。对患者的服药情况、抗病毒治疗依从性单因素及多因素相关情况进行分析。结果 118例患者中有53例患者出现药物漏服现象,主要漏服原因为患者用药后出现不良反应,占比43.40%,另外还有忘记服药、害怕他人知道自己患有艾滋病、在外服药不及时及其他原因。家人支持、工作、服药知识、饮酒、文化水平、年龄各单因素与患者治疗依从性密切相关（P <0.05）。工作、服药知识是患者治疗依从性的重要独立影响因素（P <0.05）。结论 家人支持、工作、服药知识及饮酒是影响艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗依从性的主要影响因素,应根据患者的实际情况给予相应的治疗措施,提高患者治疗依从性。     

醒脑静注射液致不良反应20例文献分析

[目的]研究醒脑静注射液在临床的使用情况及发生不良反应的类型和数量,为醒脑静注射液的临床合理应用提供参考.[方法]对2000年1月～2011年2月以来,国内公开发行的医药期刊报道的醒脑静注射液致ADR,共计20例进行分类统计、分析. [结果] ADR临床主要表现为呼吸系统损害(33.0％)、心血管系统一般性损害(17.0％)、皮肤及其附件损害(13.2％)、全身性损害(12.3％)、交感副交感神经系统损害(12.3％)、中枢和外周神经系统损害(6.6％)、胃肠系统损害(3.8％)、其他类型约占(1.9％).[结论]文献研究法能发现醒脑静注射液上市后的新不良反应,临床应重视醒脑静注射液的ADR,坚持合理用药.     

Use of a cross-sectional survey to estimate outcome of health care: the example of anxiety and depression.

Our study proposes that a population-based cross-sectional survey can be used to estimate the outcome of health care by linking general practice morbidity records to the survey. Using the example of anxiety and depression to test this idea, we conducted a survey of an adult population registered with one general practice in the UK. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) questionnaire was used to identify cases and controls. After mailing to a randomly selected adult population of 4002, there was an adjusted response rate of 66% (n = 2,606), with 416 (16%) high-score cases, 506 (19%) medium-score cases, and 1684 (65%) low-score controls. All cases were compared with a sample of controls (n = 450). In the 12 months before the survey, the high-score case group had experienced significantly higher GP contacts (n = 377 [91%] versus 354 [79%]), diagnoses for anxiety or depression (119 [29%] versus 21 [5%]), and related drug treatments (111 [27%] versus 22 [5%]) compared with the control sample. Most of the diagnoses and drug treatments had been initiated at least 9 months before the survey. The linkage between the survey and the clinical records suggested that the health outcome of previously identified anxious and depressed patients was poor, with an estimated two-thirds who will not have fully recovered within an average of 9 months. This study demonstrates the potential for using cross-sectional population surveys to estimate not only the need for health care but also the outcome of health care.     

Association of perceived family criticism with health behaviors

BACKGROUND: Criticism from family members has been implicated in psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and eating disorders. Perceived family criticism has also been linked to primary health care use. In our study, we examined the association between perceived family criticism and health behaviors, as well as the potential mediating role of negative affect. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to patients receiving care at a family medicine center. Perceived family criticism was measured using the Family Emotional Involvement and Perceived Criticism Scale. Diet, regular exercise, smoking status, and levels of depression, hostility, and physical health were also assessed through self report. RESULTS: Nine hundred twenty-two (62%) active family medicine patients responded to our questionnaire. Complete data were available for 875 patients. In univariate analysis, a high level of perceived family criticism was associated with various demographic characteristics, poorer physical health, negative affect, higher fat intake, lack of exercise, and smoking. In multivariate analysis, the association between a high level of perceived criticism and health behavior was independent of demographic characteristics and physical health, for example, high-fat diet (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 - 1.95), no regular exercise (OR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02 - 1.84) and current smoking (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.00 - 1.90). None of these associations was statistically significant after controlling for depression and hostility. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of perceived family criticism is associated with adverse health behaviors. This association appears to be explained by resultant depression and hostility.     

Lifestyle factors,psychiatric and neurologic comorbidities,and drug use associated with incident seizures among adult patients with depression: a population-based nested case–control study

To investigate risk factors for incident seizures among adult patients with depression. We conducted a nested case–control analysis in adult patients with newly diagnosed depression, using data from the U.K.-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Among cases with incident seizures and matched controls, we estimated odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) of potential risk factors for seizures as reported from data of the general population: underweight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m²), smoking, alcoholism, drug abuse, psychiatric or neurologic comorbidities, and concomitant use of drugs. Of 186,540 patients with depression, 1489 developed a seizure during follow-up. Being underweight (OR 1.67 [95 % CI 1.23–2.26]), a current smoker (OR 1.45 [95 % CI 1.26–1.67]), having alcoholism (OR 2.98 [95 % CI 2.56–3.47]), and drug abuse (OR 2.51 [95 % CI 1.94–3.24]), were associated with increased risks of seizures compared to normal weight, non-smoking, no alcoholism, and no drug abuse, respectively. Previous stroke/transient ischemic attack (OR 6.07 [95 % CI 4.71–7.83]) or intracerebral bleeding (OR 8.19 [95 % CI 4.80–13.96]), and comorbid dementia (OR 6.83 [95 % CI 4.81–9.69]), were strongly associated with seizures. Current use of cephalosporins (OR 2.47 [95 % CI 1.61–3.78]) and antiarrhythmics (OR 1.59 [95 % CI 1.26–2.01]) was associated with an increased risk of seizures compared to non-use. Among adult patients with depression, being underweight, smoking, alcoholism, and drug abuse, were associated with seizures. Remote stroke and comorbid dementia were strong risk factors for seizures. Current use of cephalosporins or antiarrhytmics was associated with an increased risk of seizures compared to non-use.     

佛山市禅城区艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗服药依从性分析

目的了解广东省佛山市禅城区艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗的服药依从性情况及相关影响因素。方法选择佛山市禅城区中心医院接受HAART治疗的72例HIV感染者作为研究对象,分别对服药情况、漏服药物原因以及服药后不良反应等情况进行问卷调查。结果 72例患者中服药依从性>95%的为50例(69.44%),有37例(51.39%)在最近1个月内出现过漏服药物的情况。导致患者出现漏服药物的前3位原因为:药物不良反应15例(40.54%)、忘记服药8例(21.62%)和担心别人知道自己服用艾滋病治疗药物6例(16.22%)。患者出现的前3位不良反应为头痛和头晕(40.28%),恶心、呕吐、腹泻等胃肠反应(29.17%),药物性皮疹和皮肤瘙痒(23.61%)。不同文化程度的患者药物漏服率之间的差异有统计学意义(χ2=10.296,P<0.05)。结论艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗情况有待提高,而药物不良反应是导致服药依从性降低的主要原因,通过加强依从性教育、完善家庭和社会支持、优化治疗方案等综合措施,可有效提高患者的服药依从性水平。     

Effective Hearing Loss Screening in Primary Care: The Early Auditory Referral-Primary Care Study

PURPOSEHearing loss, the second most common disability in the United States, is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Identifying it in early stages could prevent its known substantial adverse outcomes.METHODSA multiple baseline design was implemented to assess a screening paradigm for identifying and referring patients aged ≥55 years with hearing loss at 10 family medicine clinics in 2 health systems. Patients completed a consent form and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHI). An electronic alert prompted clinicians to screen for hearing loss during visits.RESULTSThe 14,877 eligible patients during the study period had 36,701 encounters. Referral rates in the family medicine clinics increased from a baseline rate of 3.2% to 14.4% in 1 health system and from a baseline rate of 0.7% to 4.7% in the other. A general medicine comparison group showed referral rate increase from the 3.0% baseline rate to 3.3%. Of the 5,883 study patients who completed the HHI 25.2% (n=1,484) had HHI scores suggestive of hearing loss; those patients had higher referral rates, 28% vs 9.2% (P <.001). Of 1,660 patients referred for hearing testing, 717 had audiology data available for analysis: 669 (93.3%) were rated appropriately referred and 421 (58.7%) were considered hearing aid candidates. Overall, 71.5% of patients contacted felt their referral was appropriate.CONCLUSIONAn electronic alert used to remind clinicians to ask patients aged ≥55 years about hearing loss significantly increased audiology referrals for at-risk patients. Audiologic and audiogram data support the effectiveness of the prompt. Clinicians should consider adopting this method to identify patients with hearing loss to reduce its known and adverse sequelae.Key words: audiology, family practice, family medicine, hearing loss, mass screening, primary care     

未破裂型输卵管妊娠药物保守治疗42例的临床效果

目的探讨应用药物治疗未破裂型输卵管妊娠的临床效果。方法对应用米非司酮配伍甲氨蝶呤及中药保守治疗的42例未破裂型输卵管妊娠患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果血清β-人绒毛膜促性腺激素(human chorionic gonadotrophin,HCG)<3000IU/L的42例患者中,成功治愈39例,成功率达92.86%。5例有可耐受的轻微不良反应,所有患者均无严重不良反应。结论米非司酮配伍甲氨蝶呤并联合中药保守治疗未破裂型输卵管妊娠是临床治疗中有较好效果的一种方法。     

黛力新联合胃动力药治疗功能性消化不良的临床效果分析

目的：观察黛力新联合胃动力药治疗功能性消化不良的疗效。方法将80例功能性消化不良患者随机分为两组,每组40例,对照组患者口服奥美拉和马来酸曲美布汀治疗,观察组在此基础上给予口服黛力新治疗,8周后观察疗效。结果治疗8周后观察组总有效率92.5%,对照组总有效率85.0%,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。对照组不良反应发生率为12.5%,观察组不良反应发生率为10.0%,两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论黛力新联合奥美拉唑、马来酸曲美布汀治疗功能性消化不良疗效显著,不良反应相对轻微。