Complementary and alternative medicine use in Irish paediatric patients

Background  Although very little scientific data exists on the efficacy and side effects of complementary and alternative medicines, their profile and availability is increasing. Use among Irish children is unknown. Aims  To determine the nature and prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use in our paediatric population. Methods  Parental questionnaires were distributed in 13 paediatric settings over a 4-month period. Results  There were 57% of parents reported using CAM for their child. Use was significantly higher in the 2–4 years age group (34/105, 32%, P = 0.005). The commonest medicinal CAMs used were vitamins (88%), fish oils (27%) and Echinacea (26%). The commonest non-medicinal CAMs used were homeopathy (16%) and craniosacral therapy (14%). Use varied between paediatric specialties, with the highest in neurological patients (23/25, 92%, P = 0.005). Only 13% of parents had informed their Paediatrician of their child’s CAM use. Conclusions  More than half of the children surveyed had used some form of CAM, usually without their Paediatrician’s knowledge.     

Sexual behaviors and reproductive health outcomes: associations with wife abuse in India

CONTEXT: Wife abuse has been associated with a variety of health concerns. Associations between abuse and reproductive health in India are not well known. OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between men's reports of wife abuse and reproductive health issues in northern India. DESIGN: Structured face-to-face interviews were conducted as part of the male reproductive health supplement of the PERFORM System of Indicators Survey, a systematic multistage survey conducted in 1995-1996. SETTING: The northern state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the least developed states in India. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6632 married men aged 15 to 65 years who lived with their wives and completed all survey questions for the study variables reported here. MAIN MEASURES: Physically and sexually abusive behaviors toward wives, sexual activities outside marriage, sexually transmitted disease (STD) symptoms, contraception use, unplanned pregnancies, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of men reported not abusing their wives, while 17% reported physically but not sexually abusing their wives, 22% reported sexual abuse without physical force, and 7% reported sexual abuse with physical force. Abuse was more common among men who had extramarital sex (for sexual abuse using force: odds ratio [OR], 6.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.98-9.72). Similarly, men who had STD symptoms were more likely to abuse their wives (with current symptoms: OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.73-3.42). Unplanned pregnancies were significantly more common among wives of abusive men, especially sexually abusive men who used force (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.91-3.60). CONCLUSIONS: Wife abuse appears to be fairly common in northern India. Our findings that abusive men were more likely to engage in extramarital sex and have STD symptoms suggest that these men may be acquiring STDs from their extramarital relationships, thereby placing their wives at risk for STD acquisition, sometimes via sexual abuse. These abusive sexual behaviors also may result in an elevated rate of unplanned pregnancies.     

Physicians' recommendations to patients for use of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endocarditis

CONTEXT: The American Heart Association recommendations for infectious endocarditis (IE) prophylaxis, published in June 1997, sought to improve patient and physician compliance by simplifying the dosing regimen and clarifying endocarditis risk. Adherence to these updated recommendations in patients with echocardiographic verification of their endocarditis risk profile is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the recommended and actual use of IE prophylaxis as reported by patients undergoing echocardiography. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: All patients who underwent outpatient transthoracic echocardiography at a university-based tertiary hospital in Boston, Mass, during December 1997 were contacted 6 to 9 months later to respond to a survey, completed by 218 (80%) eligible subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patients' report of their physicians' instructions on actual use of IE prophylaxis in accordance with patient risk category, determined by echocardiographic data. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients (49.5%) had clinical or echocardiographic findings for which prophylaxis was indicated. Of these 108 patients, 71 (65.7%) reported that they were instructed to take IE prophylaxis. Sixteen high-risk patients (88. 9%) but only 55 moderate-risk patients (61.1%) reported that they were instructed to take prophylaxis. Among the 110 negligible-risk patients, 29 (26.4%) reported that they had been instructed to take IE prophylaxis. Overall, 100 patients (45.9%) reported that they received physician instructions to take IE prophylaxis. Of those who subsequently underwent a procedure for which IE prophylaxis was indicated (n=68), 9 (13.2%) elected not to follow their physician's advice to take prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: We found that although most patients reported receiving instructions for IE prophylaxis use consistent with American Heart Association guidelines, IE prophylaxis overuse among negligible-risk patients and underuse among moderate-risk patients was common. Continued physician and patient education may lead to improved adherence to the current American Heart Association recommendations. JAMA. 2000;284:68-71     

Use of complementary and alternative medicines by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVES: To investigate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to explore their beliefs about CAM. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of 173 patients with moderate to severe COPD, and in depth interviews with a purposive sample of 28 patients. SETTING: Ambulatory care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of CAM; beliefs about the value of CAM. RESULTS: 71 patients (41%) claimed to be using some form of CAM. Most commonly used were multivitamins and minerals, and garlic was the most commonly used herbal preparation. Patients reported that advertisements and people with prior experience of using CAM were their major sources of information. Extent of knowledge about CAM, degree of faith in CAM and personal attitudes influenced decisions to try CAM. Patients used CAM to promote general wellbeing, to counteract drug side effects, to compensate for dietary deficiencies and to ameliorate their disease. Efficacy appeared less important to users than safety. CAM practitioners were regarded as more convincing, informative, considerate and available compared with mainstream health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Communication between patients and mainstream health professionals about CAM use could be improved by health professionals being more accepting of CAM use and having some basic knowledge about commonly used CAM preparations.     

Vancomycin and teicoplanin use in Victorian hospitals. The Victorian Drug Usage Evaluation Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine patterns of prescribing of glycopeptide antibiotics (vancomycin and teicoplanin) in Victorian hospitals and identify areas for targeted intervention. DESIGN: A concurrent, observational, multisite evaluation of drug use. SETTING: Thirty-five Victorian hospitals, 1-14 September 1997. STUDY POPULATION: Patients commencing a glycopeptide antibiotic course. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of glycopeptide antibiotic use; indications; duration of use; main hospitals using glycopeptide antibiotics. RESULTS: 293 patients (269 adults and 24 neonates) commenced on 302 glycopeptide antibiotic courses: 296 intravenous (i.v.) vancomycin courses and three each of oral vancomycin and parenteral teicoplanin. The overall rate of use was 10.3 courses per 1000 inpatient separations. Of 271 i.v. vancomycin courses for adults, 176 (65%) were for treatment--120 empirically. The median duration of treatment courses was 4.7 days (interquartile range, 2.0-8.2 days). A flucloxacillin-resistant organism was confirmed for 44% of treatment courses. Ninety-five i.v. vancomycin courses were for prophylaxis, including for cardiac (54%) and vascular surgery (21%); 82% of prophylactic courses were administered for less than 24 hours. Of all the glycopeptide antibiotic courses, 69% were administered at five major metropolitan hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Glycopeptide antibiotic use in Victoria is concentrated in the major metropolitan hospitals. Prolonged durations of vancomycin therapy, including for surgical prophylaxis and empirical therapy not subsequently confirmed by microbiology findings, would be suitable targets for interventional strategies.     

Breast self-examination: importance of technique in early diagnosis.

Shortly after diagnosis of breast cancer 416 patients were interviewed about their use of screening procedures and the method of tumour detection. Although 72% reported that they performed breast self-examination (BSE), only 12% actually inspected and palpated their breasts monthly. BSE was not significantly associated with tumour size or involvement of the lymph nodes; however, thorough inspection was associated with smaller tumours, and careful palpation with the absence of palpable nodes. Of those who no longer or never had examined their breasts 40% reported having annual breast examinations by their physician and had significantly smaller tumours than did the others. Most of the women (86%) reported having detected their own tumours, and BSE did not significantly increase the likelihood of self-detection. The frequency of use of screening procedures was similar in a sample of women without breast cancer.     

Herbal use amongst multiethnic medical patients in Penang Hospital: pattern and perceptions

A cross sectional survey on pattern and perception of herbal use among medical patients in Penang Hospital was conducted. Among 250 patients surveyed, 67.9% were using herbal medicine and conventional medicine concomitantly. A majority of the patients used herbs for health maintenance (51.3%) purpose. More than 90% of herbal users did not disclose herbal use to their physician and "Doctor never asked" was the major reason given (54.2%). The Chinese reported the highest rate of herbal use but was least likely to disclose. These findings are important for health professionals to ensure medication safety and recognise potential drug herb interaction.     

Ceftriaxone and cefotaxime use in Victorian hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To determine patterns of use of ceftriaxone and cefotaxime (CEFX) in Victorian hospitals and to identify areas for improvement. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND SETTING: A concurrent, observational evaluation of CEFX use in patients commencing a course of these drugs between 8 and 14 September, 1999, in 51 Victorian hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients treated with CEFX; indications; duration of use; concordance with recommendations of national antibiotic guidelines (Therapeutic guidelines: antibiotic, 10th edition [AG10]). RESULTS: 671 patients were treated with CEFX. The overall rate of use was 43 patients per 1000 inpatient separations. Treatment of respiratory tract infection accounted for 352 patients (52%) and surgical prophylaxis for 99 patients (15%). Treatment of skin/soft tissue, urinary tract and gastrointestinal tract infections accounted for about 7% of patients each. The median duration of CEFX courses was 3.0 days. The overall rate of concordance with indications recommended in AG10 was 27%. The rate of concordance for empirical treatment of respiratory tract infection was 24%. Of the 195 patients treated empirically with CEFX for community-acquired respiratory tract infection and assessed as non-concordant, 64% did not have radiological evidence of pneumonia, and a further 30% did not fulfill the criteria for severe pneumonia. All courses given for surgical prophylaxis were non-concordant. CONCLUSIONS: CEFX is widely used in Victorian hospitals, mostly to treat lower respiratory tract infection and in surgical prophylaxis of infection. The rate of concordance with AG10 is low. Potential areas for intervention include empirical treatment of respiratory tract infection and use in surgical prophylaxis.     

Allergies in India: an analysis of 3389 patients attending an allergy clinic in Mumbai, India

A total of 3389 consecutive patients attending the allergy clinic over a period of 5 years (2003-2007) were analysed by the same physician. Males outnumbered females ie, 53.05% versus 46.95%.; 89.17% of the patients were adults and 10.83% were children. More than 80% of the patients were young, below 40 years of age. Nasobronchial allergies viz, asthma, rhinitis or asthma with rhinitis formed the largest group of patients (76.9%). Total serum IgE levels were elevated in every patient (except in those with contact dermatitis). The highest levels of IgE were seen in patients with atopic dermatitis (mean 1615.47 IU/ml). The house dust mite, D farinae, showed the highest incidence (77.13%) of positive reactions. Positive reactions to foods (16.48%) were more than that reported in western countries, whereas positive reactions to pollen were comparatively low (8.61%). In the contact dermatitis group, nickel sulphate (38.5%) and Parthenium hysterophorus (36.5%) were the commonest allergens on patch testing. Penicillins, sulphonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the drugs most commonly found to cause allergic reactions in India. The incidence of atopy is estimated to be 28.96% in a randomised survey of the Indian population.     

Anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis: can we afford to ignore it?

INTRODUCTION Anaemia is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Clinicians may focus on rheumatological issues and assume anaemia of chronic disease (ACD). This study challenged this assumption and investigated the causes of anaemia in a large cohort of RA patients to assess its implications. METHODS The hospital where the study was conducted monitors regular full blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) monthly in all RA patients on disease modifying drugs to assess efficacy and safety. A computerised system identifies and records abnormal results. The database for 2009 was interrogated to find all patients with two consecutive haemoglobin values <11 g/dl. Using a proforma, patients were defined as having iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), ACD, macrocytic anaemia (MCA) or another cause. All results of further tests investigating the anaemia were recorded. RESULTS Among 2000 RA patients on the system, 199 (10%) were identified as having anaemia over a year. Of these, 90 had IDA, 78 had ACD, 25 had MCA, and 6 had postoperative anaemia. Among 90 patients with IDA, investigations were performed in 53, with 23 normal. An explanation for IDA was found in 30: gastrointestinal bleeding in 25, gynaecological blood loss in 3, and urinary bleeding in 2. Among 78 patients with ACD, response to intensification of RA treatment occurred in 45, but erythropoietin therapy was required in 9. Within the 25 patients with MCA, 12 had unrecognised vitamin B(12) deficiency, 4 drug induced changes, 3 myeloid malignancy, 2 hypothyroidism, and 2 alcoholism. CONCLUSIONS Anaemia in RA is common, multifactorial, and potentially both serious and correctable. Established malignancy was present in 10 patients and premalignancy in a further 10 (10% of total). Treatable causes were commonly identified. Clinicians need to investigate the nature and cause of persistent anaemia, and must not assume it to be simply ACD without evidence.     

Report from the Caribbean renal registry, 2006

AIM: To develop a renal registry that will monitor renal epidemiology in the Caribbean and help determine the burden of disease. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent out to different Caribbean countries for distribution to the dialysis units. Data were obtained for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who were on long term renal replacement therapy in 2006. The demographic data, type of renal replacement therapy, laboratory data and causes of ESRD were obtained from the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.0 RESULTS: Data were reported from six English-speaking Caribbean countries: Bahamas (n = 211), Barbados (n = 185), British Virgin Islands (n = 27), Cayman Islands (n = 41), Jamaica (n = 366) and Trinidad and Tobago (n = 436). Haemodialysis was reported in all the countries; transplantation was not reported from the Cayman Islands. Only Bahamas, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago reported peritoneal dialysis. In Jamaica, male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The three commonest causes of end stage renal failure were hypertension (65.5%), diabetes mellitus (27.6%) and primary chronic glomerulonephritis (12.5%). The age range was 11-94 years (mean 47.7 years). Barbados had a male to female ratio of 1.8:1, age range of 19-81 years (mean age: 52.3 years). Hypertension (55.7%) and diabetes mellitus (27.0%) were the commonest causes. Trinidad and Tobago had a male to female ratio 1.3:1. The age range was 8-84 years (mean age 52.5 years). The four commonest causes of ESRD were diabetes nAellitus (28.9%), hypertension (25.3%) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (3.9%) and chronic glomerulonephritis (3.9%). The British Virgin Islands, Tortola, had a male to female ratio 1.7:1.0. Age range was 26-86 years (mean, 57 years). Hypertension (67.9%) and diabetes mellitus (46.4%) were also the commonest causes. The Bahamas had a male to female ratio of 1:1.1 unlike the other countries. Hypertension (25.6%), diabetes mellitus (28.0%) and chronic glomerulonephritis (13.3%) were the commonest causes of ESRD. The Cayman Islands reported a male to female ratio of 1.2:1, with a mean age of 54.3 years. Hypertension (n = 27), diabetes mellitus (n = 12) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (n = 3) were the commonest causes of ESRD. Barbados and Jamaica had more than 50 per cent of its renal replacement therapy patients with serum albumin above the minimum of the normal range of 35-40 g/L. In regards to the calcium phosphate product, two-thirds of the patients in all countries reporting data had values below the recommendation of 4.4 mmol2/L2. The percentage of patients achieving haemoglobin concentration above 10.0 g/dL was: 16.9%for Jamaica, 75.6%for The Cayman Islands, 35.9%for Barbados and 68.6%for Tobago. Erythropoietin usage was not reported. The URR was only available for Jamaica and the Bahamas and 80.6% and 60.9% respectively had URR above the accepted value of 65%. For all reporting countries the range of patients coded for hypertension but who also had diabetes mellitus was 2.2% to 17.1%. Only Bahamas reported on vascular access with 51.7% ofpatients having native arteriovenousfistulae. CONCLUSION: Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic glomerulonephritis were the commonest causes of ESRD across most of the English-speaking Caribbean countries. Peritoneal dialysis was only offered in some of the islands and kidney transplantation was rarely reported. More males than females were on long term renal replacement therapy in most of the islands.     

类风湿关节炎患者HLA-DR4/1亚型与抗环瓜氨酸肽抗体的关系

[目的]探讨类风湿关节炎（rheumatoid arthritis,RA）患者HLA—DR4／1分子与血清抗环瓜氨酸肽（cyclic citrullinated peptide,CCP）抗体之间的关系。[方法]收集118例RA患者,以序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应（PCR—SSP）技术对上述患者进行HLA—DR4／1分型,酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）方法检测患者血清抗CCP抗体水平。[结果]在118例RA患者中,35例患者HLA—DR4阳性,其中DRB1^＊0405阳性20例;5例患者HLA—DR1阳性。在118例RA患者中,抗CCP抗体阳性有90例。其中,在40例HLA—DR4／1 阳性的RA患者中,抗CCP抗体阳性的占82．5％（33／40）;在其余78例HIA—DR4／1阴性RA患者中,73．1％（57／78）抗CCP抗体阳性。HLA～DR4／1阳性患者与HLA—DR4／1阴性患者抗CCP抗体的阳性率差异无统计学意义（P=0．255）。而20例HLA—DRB1^＊0405阳性的RA患者抗CCP抗体阳性者19例,HLA—DRB1^＊0405阳性RA患者抗CCP抗体阳性率高于其他HLA—DR4／1亚型阳性的RA患者,也高于HLA—DR4／1阴性患者。[结论]RA中HIJA—DRB1^＊0405基因与抗CCP抗体具有一定的相关性。     

LEUKOCYTOSIS AND RETINOIC ACID SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA TREATED WITH ARSENIC TRIOXIDE

ALL-trans-retinoic acid ATRA),as the first-line drug,induces complete remission CR)in80%to90%of patients with acute promyelo-cytic leukemia APL)and significantly improves the out-come of the patients with APL.1Although ATRA is gener-ally well tolerated,40…     

可溶性和膜结合性CD14在类风湿关节炎患者外周血中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨类风湿关节炎(RA)患者血清中可溶性CD14(sCD14)的水平及血浆单核细胞膜结合性CD14(mCD14)的表达与RA的关系。方法:收集78例RA患者和50名健康对照者(对照组)的外周血,酶联免疫吸附试验法检测血清中sCD14的表达,同时分离RA患者和对照组外周血单个核细胞,通过流式细胞术检测mCD14的表达水平,分析CD14的表达水平与RA的关系。结果:RA患者血清中的sCD14与mCD14表达水平均明显高于对照组(P<0.01),RA活动期患者sCD14与mCD14表达水平亦均明显高于RA缓解期患者(P<0.01)。结论:sCD14与mCD14在RA外周血中表达水平异常增高,它们可能参与了RA的发病或病情进展。     

HLA-DR基因与类风湿关节炎关联性研究

目的: 探讨人白细胞抗原(human leukocyte antigen,HLA)基因中的HLA-DR1~HLA-DR10等位基因与皖北地区汉族人群类风湿关节炎(RA)的临床表现、关节X线片影像及有关实验室检查结果的关联性。方法: 选取RA患者80例与健康对照40名,采用特异性引物聚合酶链反应技术检测两组的HLA-DR1~HLA-DR10基因型,分析RA患者临床表现、X线片影像分期以及有关实验室检查结果与上述HLA-DR等位基因的关联性。结果: RA组HLA-DR4基因阳性率为35.0%,正常对照组为15.0%,两组差异有显著性(P<0.05)。血清类风湿因子(RF)阳性和并发肺部病变的RA患者HLA-DR4阳性率均显著增高(P<0.05和P<0.005)。HLA-DR4阳性组与阴性组相比RF滴度较高,血沉较快,抗环瓜氨酸多肽(CCP)抗体水平较高(P<0.05~P<0.01);HLA-DR4阳性组患者晨僵时间显著长于阴性组(P<0.001)。关节功能为Ⅲ或Ⅳ级和X线分期为Ⅲ或Ⅳ期者亦以HLA-DR4阳性组显著为多(P<0.01)。结论: 皖北地区汉族人群RA易感性与HLA-DR4基因有关联性。HLA-DR4基因与晨僵时间、血沉、RF、抗CCP抗体、骨质侵蚀有一定联系,HLA-DR4阳性患者可能更容易发生肺部病变。     

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Chronic Pain

Pain afflicts over 50 million people in the US, with 30.7% US adults suffering with chronic pain. Despite advances in therapies, many patients will continue to deal with ongoing symptoms that are not fully addressed by the best conventional medicine has to offer them. The patients frequently turn to therapies outside the usual purview of conventional medicine(herbs, acupuncture, meditation, etc.) called complementary and alternative medicine(CAM). Academic and governmental groups are also starting to incorporate CAM recommendations into chronic pain management strategies. Thus, for any physician who care for patients with chronic pain, having some familiarity with these therapies—including risks and benefits—will be key to helping guide patients in making evidence-based, well informed decisions about whether or not to use such therapies. On the other hand, if a CAM therapy has evidence of both safety and efficacy then not making it available to a patientwho is suffering does not meet the need of the patient. We summarize the current evidence of a wide variety of CAM modalities that have potential for helping patients with chronic pain in this article. The triad of chronic pain symptoms, ready access to information on the internet, and growing patient empowerment suggest that CAM therapies will remain a consistent part of the healthcare of patients dealing with chronic pain.     

Self-referral in point-of-service health plans

CONTEXT: Most health maintenance organizations offer products with loosened restrictions on patients' access to specialty care. One such product is the point-of-service (POS) plan, which combines "gatekeeping" arrangements with the ability to self-refer at increased out-of-pocket costs. Few data are available from formal evaluations of this new type of plan. OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively describe the self-referral process in POS plans by quantifying rates of self-referral, identifying patients most likely to self-refer, characterizing patients' reasons for self-referral, and assessing satisfaction with specialty care. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis using administrative databases composed of members aged 0 to 64 years who were enrolled in 3 POS health plans in the Midwest (n = 265 843), Northeast (n = 80 292), and mid-Atlantic (n = 39 888) regions for 6 to 12 months in 1996, and a 1997 telephone survey of specialty care users (n = 606) in the midwestern plan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-referred service use and charges, reasons for self-referral, and satisfaction with specialty care. RESULTS: Overall, 8.8% of enrollees in the midwestern POS plan, 16.7% in the northeastern plan, and 17.3% in the mid-Atlantic plan self-referred for at least 1 physician or nonphysician clinician visit. The proportions of enrollees self-referring to generalists (4.7%-8.5%) were slightly higher than the proportions self-referring to specialists (3.7%-7.2%) across all 3 plans. Nine percent to 16% of total charges were due to self-referral. The chances of self-referral to a specialist were increased for patients with chronic and orthopedic conditions, higher cost sharing for physician-approved services, and less continuity with their regular physician. Patients who self-referred to specialists preferred to access specialty care directly (38%), reported relationship problems with their regular physicians (28%), had an ongoing relationship with a specialist (23%), were confused about insurance rules (8%), and did not have a regular physician (3%). Compared with those referred to specialists by a physician, patients who self-referred were more satisfied with the specialty care they received. CONCLUSIONS: Having the option to self-refer is enough for most POS plan enrollees; 93% to 96% of enrollees did not exercise their POS option to obtain specialty care via self-referral during a 1-year interval. The potential downside of uncoordinated, self-referred service use in POS health plans is limited and counterbalanced by higher patient satisfaction with specialist services.     

Use of reminders for preventive procedures in family medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of three computerized reminder systems in the delivery of five preventive procedures in family practice. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Ottawa Civic Hospital Family Medicine Centre. PARTICIPANTS: Of 8502 patients 15 years of age or more who were not in a hospital or institution 5883 were randomly assigned, by family, to a control group, a physician reminder group (passive) or a telephone or letter reminder group (active). The remaining 2619 patients were not included in the randomized portion of the study but were monitored. INTERVENTION: During 1 year the patients in the active reminder groups received a telephone call or letter reminding them of any overdue preventive procedures; for those in the passive reminder group the physician was reminded at an office visit to provide any overdue service. OUTCOME MEASURE: Rates of completion of the preventive procedures required. MAIN RESULTS: All three reminder systems significantly improved the delivery of preventive services (p less than 0.001). The procedure completion rates were 42.0% in the letter reminder group, 42.0% in the telephone reminder group, 33.7% in the physician reminder group and 14.1% in the randomized control group. The use of a letter was more cost-effective than the telephone system, but the physician reminder system was the most cost-effective. CONCLUSION: Computerized reminder systems do improve the delivery of preventive services in family practice.     

The continuing use of complementary and alternative medicine in South Australia: costs and beliefs in 2004

OBJECTIVE: To survey the use, cost, beliefs and quality of life of users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). DESIGN: A representative population survey conducted in 2004 with longitudinal comparison to similar 1993 and 2000 surveys. PARTICIPANTS: 3015 South Australian respondents over the age of 15 years (71.7% participation). RESULTS: In 2004, CAMs were used by 52.2% of the population. Greatest use was in women aged 25-34 years, with higher income and education levels. CAM therapists had been visited by 26.5% of the population. In those with children, 29.9% administered CAMs to them and 17.5% of the children had visited CAM therapists. The total extrapolated cost in Australia of CAMs and CAM therapists in 2004 was AUD$1.8 billion, which was a decrease from AUD$2.3 billion in 2000. CAMs were used mostly to maintain general health. The users of CAM had lower quality-of-life scores than non-users. Among CAM users, 49.7% used conventional medicines on the same day and 57.2% did not report the use of CAMs to their doctor. About half of the respondents assumed that CAMs were independently tested by a government agency; of these, 74.8% believed they were tested for quality and safety, 21.8% for what they claimed, and 17.9% for efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Australians continue to use high levels of CAMs and CAM therapists. The public is often unaware that CAMs are not tested by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for efficacy or safety.     

Evaluation of the status of tuberculosis as part of the clinical case definition of AIDS in India

Aim: To assess HIV associated tuberculosis in a high tuberculosis prevalence setting and its status in the clinical case definition of AIDS. Methods: All HIV patients attending the infectious disease clinic, Varanasi, India between January 2001 and December 2003 were included in the study. They were stratified into three distinct immunological categories depending on their CD4 levels in accordance to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classification. Tuberculosis of different organs was defined as detailed below. Results: Tuberculosis was the commonest opportunistic disease, seen in 163 patients. Of these, 68 had exclusively pulmonary tuberculosis, 55 extrapulmonary disease, and 40 the disseminated form. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis had low positive predictive value (PPV) (51% and 42%) for CD4 levels of <200 when compared with the disseminated form (specificity 87% and PPV 75%). Among 86 patients with radiological evidence of tuberculosis, typical radiological features of post-primary tuberculosis were present in 60 cases (70%). Other features such as effusion (14 patients, 16%) and miliary shadows (12 patients, 14%) were comparatively rare. Conclusion: Keeping pulmonary and extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis in AIDS defining illness should be reconsidered. In a similar way tuberculosis in HIV patients from areas endemic with tuberculosis occurs in patients with a wide range of immune status and has a better prognosis than other AIDS defining illnesses. Therefore the inclusion of tuberculosis in clinical case definition of AIDS is not justified.