Home-based subcutaneous immunoglobulin G replacement therapy under real-life conditions in children and adults with antibody deficiency

Background

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy is an alternative to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

Methods

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the SCIG Vivaglobin^® (formerly known as Beriglobin^® SC) under real-life conditions in a post-marketing observational study in 82 patients with primary or secondary antibody deficiencies. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated in a subset of 30 patients previously treated with IVIG (including 11 children < 14 years) using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) for patients ≥ 14 years of age (adults) and the Child Health Questionnaire - Parental Form 50 (CHQ-PF50) for children < 14 years of age. Treatment preferences were assessed in adults.

Results

The mean serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) trough level during SCIG treatment (7.5 g/L) was higher than during previous IVIG treatment (6.6 g/L; p < 0.01). The investigators assessed the efficacy of SCIG therapy as "excellent" in 89% of patients. No systemic adverse drug reactions were observed. Improvements by ≥ 5 points were observed in 5 of 8 SF36 subscales and in 6 of 12 CHQ-PF50 subscales. Statistically significant improvements (p ≤ 0.05) were observed for the SF-36 subscales of bodily pain, general health perceptions, and vitality (adults), and for the CHQ-PF50 subscales of general health perceptions, parental impact - time, parental impact - emotional, and family activities (children). Patients preferred SCIG over IVIG therapy (92%) and home therapy over therapy at the clinic/physician (83%).

Conclusion

This study confirms that therapy with Vivaglobin^® at home is effective, safe, well tolerated, and improves quality of life in patients with antibody deficiency.     

Effectiveness of GPs in accident and emergency departments

Background

Many self-attending patients make inappropriate use of accident and emergency departments.

Aim

To determine whether a new care method consisting of the involvement of a GP during the day with the staff of the accident and emergency department of an academic city hospital and application of the Nederlands Triage Systeem by a practice nurse is more effective than usual care.

Design

Before and after intervention design.

Setting

Accident and emergency department in the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam.

Method

Participants were patients (n = 1527) attending the accident and emergency department without a referral, on weekdays from 10.00–17.00 hours, from 1 November 2006 to 30 April 2007. The intervention consisted of a new care method that combined the involvement of a GP in the accident and emergency department and allocation of patients by triage to either the GP or the accident and emergency department physician. Main outcome measures were patient satisfaction, number and type of additional examinations, quality of diagnosis, process time, and treatment time.

Results

Patient satisfaction with the treatment increased significantly. Compared to the usual care method, this new care method resulted in a 13% decrease in additional examinations. The percentage of incorrect diagnoses (1 %), as a measure of quality of care, was similar with the two methods. The mean process time decreased from 93 to 69 minutes (P<0.001). The mean treatment time decreased from 60 to 35 minutes (P<0.001).

Conclusion

The new care method resulted in greater patient satisfaction and maintained the quality of care, with fewer additional examinations. It reduced both the process time and the treatment time.     

表皮生长因子含量表达与骨折愈合的关系

目的:观察骨折后表皮生长因子含量表达的变化,分析表皮生长因子浓度变化与骨折愈合之间的关系。方法:实验于2003-10在山东大学齐鲁医院动物实验室完成。选用成年雄性家兔30只,以随机数字表法分成骨折固定组、骨折组、创伤组,各10只。骨折固定组制作左第一跖骨骨折模型,然后用管型石膏将左下肢固定;骨折组造模后不给予任何固定;创伤组仅用止血钳在家兔左大腿的中部钳夹1次。在造模前、造模后24,48,96h,2,4周,分别采静脉血,采用放射免疫分析法对家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度进行测定,进行组间、组内对照,观察骨折对家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度变化的影响。并通过X射线检测骨折愈合的情况,对家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度升高是否影响骨折愈合的速度进行评估。结果:所有30只实验动物均纳入实验动物数量分析,无脱失。①骨折固定组与骨折组骨折后24h血清表皮生长因子浓度开始升高[(45.98±3.36),(43.64±3.11)μg/L];到48h达到高峰[(51.02±3.11),(49.31±2.94)μg/L];96h已开始下降[(47.18±5.08),(45.41±4.73)μg/L];2～4周可维持较正常稍高水平[(43.50±3.78),(39.15±4.20)μg/L];4周时接近正常值[(42.26±3.14),(37.64±3.93)μg/L]。②骨折后24,48,96h骨折固定组、骨折组与创伤组家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05);此间骨折固定组和骨折组差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。③X射线检查结果,4周时骨折固定组愈合5例;骨折组愈合2例。6周时骨折固定组愈合8例;骨折组愈合5例。结论:骨折可导致家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度的升高,高表皮生长因子浓度可能有利于骨折的愈合。