Pharmacy in transition: A work sampling study of community pharmacists using smartphone technology

Introduction

The nature of community pharmacy is changing, shifting from the preparation and distribution of medicines to the provision of cognitive pharmaceutical services (CPS); however, often the provision of traditional services leaves little time for innovative services. This study investigated the time community pharmacists spend on the tasks and activities of daily practice and to what extent they are able to implement CPS-related services in daily practice.

Clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease in female SLE patients: Interplay between body mass index and bone mineral density

Background and aims

Since accelerated atherosclerosis has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), predictive biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are needed. Among non-traditional risk factors, bone mineral density (BMD) has been related to CVD. However, its role in SLE remains controversial. This study aims to analyze the associations of subclinical atherosclerosis with traditional and non-traditional CV risk factors.

Knowledge of the Brain Death Concept in Dominican Immigration Residents in Spain and Florida

The Latin American population has a double way of immigration, one toward the United States by proximity and another toward Spain by sociocultural affinity. This population increase is affecting organ donation and transplantation in receiving countries.

Littoral‐cell angioma as a rare cause of splenomegaly

We report the case of a littoral‐cell angioma of the spleen, a recently described benign vascular tumour, whose imaging and pathological characteristics have been discussed only by a few authors. The diagnosis was made after elective splenectomy. The CT images, scintigraphy and histological specimens are presented, and differential diagnoses discussed.     

Minimal-invasive Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom

ZusammenfassungHintergrund Bedingt durch die intraoperative Katecholaminsekretion mit hämodynamischen Veränderungen, einem größeren Tumordurchmesser und einer deutlichen Neovaskularisation ist die Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom im Vergleich zu anderen Nebennierenerkrankungen schwieriger und potenziell komplikationsträchtiger. Ziel unserer Studie war die Frage, ob das Risiko intraoperativer kardiovaskulärer Komplikationen durch das minimal-invasive Vorgehen potenziert wird.Patienten und Methodik Im Zeitraum zwischen Februar 1992 und Mai 2005 wurden in unserer Klinik 82 Eingriffe wegen eines Phäochromozytoms bei 71 Patienten durchgeführt. Davon wurden 8 (1) Patient(en) bi-(tri-)lateral adrenalektomiert und bei 2 Patienten erfolgte eine ipsilaterale Rezidivoperation. Eingeschlossen sind 5 weitere Patienten mit Rezidiv nach Erstoperation vor 1992. Sechsunddreißig Eingriffe erfolgten konventionell (transperitoneal n=35, retroperitoneal n=1) und 46 Operationen endoskopisch (transperitoneal n=28, retroperitoneal n=18), davon keine Konversion zum offenen Vorgehen.Ergebnisse Das mediane Alter zum Zeitpunkt der Operation betrug 45 (24–75) Jahre bei einer Anamnesedauer von 12 (0–180) Monaten. Die offen operierten Phäochromozytome waren mit 5,5 (1–19) cm vs. 3,5 (0,5–8) cm (endoskopisch) signifikant größer (p=0,0011). Patienten mit endoskopischer, insbesondere mit retroperitoneoskopischer Adrenalektomie hatten im Vergleich zum konventionellen Vorgehen intraoperativ höhere systolische und diastolische maximale Blutdruckwerte sowie Spitzen über 200 mmHg (statistisch nicht signifikant). Faktoren mit möglichem Einfluss auf intraoperative hämodynamische Veränderungen waren in der multivariaten Analyse das Geschlecht (p=0,0107), der operative Zugangsweg (p=0,0153), das Patientenalter (p=0,0364) und die Tumorgröße (p=0,0484). Die postoperative stationäre Verweildauer war nach endoskopischer Operation signifikant kürzer (p<0,0001).Schlussfolgerung Die endoskopische Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom ist in der Routine ohne vermehrtes Risiko kardiovaskulärer Komplikationen die Methode der Wahl. Das offene Vorgehen sollte extraadrenalen Befunden oder sehr großen Tumoren mit Malignitätsverdacht vorbehalten bleiben.      

Continuous passive motion following total knee replacement: a prospective randomized trial with follow-up to 1 year

We have carried out a prospective randomised, single blind clinical trial to investigate the effect of continuous passive motion on range of knee flexion, lack of extension, pain levels and analgesic use after total knee replacement surgery. 85 subjects were randomly allocated to control or study group. All subjects followed the existing rehabilitation protocol, which permits immediate active range of motion exercises and mobilisation with the study group using continuous passive motion for 1 h, twice a day. Outcome measures employed were range of motion, pain assessed on a visual analogue scale and analgesic use according to the WHO ladder. Blinded evaluation was carried out preoperatively, at time of discharge from hospital, 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months postoperation. No significant difference was observed between groups at all time intervals for each outcome variable using Wilcoxon Rank sum tests. The results substantiate previous findings that short duration continuous passive motion following total knee arthroplasty does not influence outcome of range of motion or reported pain.     

Operative Behandlung von Rektumkarzinomen im Vergleich

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer shows morbidity and oncological safety comparable to the open approach, but morbidity increases after conversion to open resection. No oncological long-term results are available for the latter patients. METHODS: From 01/01/2000-31/12/2002, patients with curatively resected rectal cancer enrolled in a observational study were evaluated for morbidity, mortality, tumor- and local recurrence rate, paying attention to patients with conversion from laparoscopic to open resection. RESULTS: 237 (3.3%) of 7,189 patients underwent laparoscopic resection (ITT). These patients showed significantly more T1/2 tumors (P<0.001) in earlier UICC stages (P<0.001) than open resected patients. 35 (14.8%) of 237 laparoscopic procedures were converted. Compared with patients receiving complete laparoscopic or open resection, these patients showed significantly higher frequencies of intraoperative (P<0.001) and general postoperative complications (P=0.003) as well as the highest overall morbidity (P=0.031). After a median follow-up of 30.1 months, the highest 5-year local recurrence rate was found in the converted group (16.0%). The laparoscopically resected patients showed a local recurrence rate of 3.3%, patients with open resection of 12.4% (P=0.082). The disease-free survival rate did not differ between the groups (P=0.585). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer provides oncological results similar to open resection. After conversion, the short and oncological long-term outcomes were worse. Considering a conversion rate of 15%, only a strict indication for the laparoscopic approach can be allowed, and laparoscopic resection should be performed at centers.