Performance measures for evaluating services for people with a first episode of psychosis

Aim: The purpose of this project was to operationalize and apply a previously identified set of performance measures designed to evaluate services for those experiencing a first episode of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Methods: Operational definitions were developed for previously identified measures through an iterative process of discussions between clinical experts and health‐care evaluators. Data were collected from existing sources including corporate databases, clinical databases and chart review. Results: Definitions were developed for 44 measures covering seven of eight domains recommended for service level evaluation by the Canadian Institute for Health Information domains. Forty measures could be calculated. Conclusions: The measures represent a comprehensive set of performance measures suitable for the evaluation of services for people with a first‐episode psychosis. The measures could be used by other services in order to establish standards and norms for routine clinical practice.     

Classroom seating for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: therapy balls versus chairs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of therapy balls as seating on in-seat behavior and legible word productivity of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, social validity was assessed to evaluate teacher and student opinions regarding the intervention. METHOD: A single subject, A-B-A-B interrupted time series design was employed across 3 students (2 males, 1 female) with ADHD. The study was conducted in a 4th grade inclusive classroom during daily language arts. During phases 1 and 3, the 3 participants and all other class members sat on chairs (in-seat on chair); during phases 2 and 4, everyone sat on therapy balls (in-seat on ball). Dependent variables were in-seat behavior and legible word productivity. Data were graphed and visually analyzed for differences between phases. RESULTS: Results demonstrated increases in in-seat behavior and legible word productivity for the students with ADHD when seated on therapy balls. Social validity findings indicated that generally the teacher and students preferred therapy balls. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that use of therapy balls for students with ADHD may facilitate in-seat behavior and legible word productivity.     

Effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Part 1: Dental and skeletal effects.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance for the developing Class II Division 1 malocclusion. This multicenter trial was carried out in the United Kingdom. A total of 174 children, aged 8 to 10 years old, with Class II Division 1 malocclusion were randomly allocated to receive treatment with a Twin-block appliance or to an untreated, control group. Data were collected at the start of the study and 15 months later. Results showed that early treatment with Twin-block appliances resulted in reduction of overjet, correction of molar relationships, and reduction in severity of malocclusion. Most of this correction was due to dentoalveolar change, but some was due to favorable skeletal change. Early treatment with the Twin-block appliance is effective in reducing overjet and severity of malocclusion. The small change in the skeletal relationship might not be considered clinically significant.     

Le psychodrame individuel chez les adolescents

The purpose of this paper is to present the psychoanalytic individual psychodrama, as practiced in France within a psychiatric institution. After an overview of historical and theoretical issues, authors present a case report concerning the outcome of an adolescent suffering from schizophrenia, after ten years of treatment. The case analysis highlights the re-investment of mental functioning and the recover of the free association ability. Specially, authors describe the last year of the treatment and the pathways by which main psychical conflicts have been elaborated.     

Severe hemorrhagic radiation proctitis advancing to gradual cessation with hyperbaric oxygen

Summary We report a case of a male patient suffering from a severe hemorrhagic radiation proctitis which gradually ceased with hyperbaric oxygen. We discuss the mechanisms of chronic radiation injury and the effect of the hyperbaric oxygen. This therapy is proposed as an alternative to surgical intervention for this abnormality.     

Significance of cyclin D1 expression in meningiomas: a preliminary study.

Forty-four evaluable patients with intracranial meningiomas were assessed for the expression of the cell-cycle regulator cyclin D1 and of proteins involved in proliferation and apoptosis such as PCNA, MIB-1, p53 and bcl-2. Analyses were carried out by western blot and immunohistochemistry after immediate processing of fresh tumor specimens. By western blot, expression of cyclin D1 significantly correlated with p53 (p=0.02) and with proliferative activity, as assessed by PCNA expression (p=0.0009). By immunohistochemistry, a significant relationship between cyclin D1 and the proliferation marker MIB-1 was confirmed (p=0.05), whereas significance with bcl-2 expression was not found (p=0.01). Moreover, although the association with tumor grade appeared of borderline statistical significance (p=0.07), all the grade II/III meningiomas showed increased expression of cyclin D1 and high proliferative activity. In conclusion, data from this preliminary study seem to suggest a potential value of the combined expression of cyclin D1 and proliferation indicators in defining subgroups of meningiomas with a more aggressive biological behavior.     

Neuropathy associated with “benign” anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein IgM gammopathy: Clinical,immunological, neurophysiological pathological findings and response to treatment in 33 cases

We studied 33 patients presenting with a peripheral neuropathy associated with non-malignant anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) IgM monoclonal gammopathy (MG) in an attempt to delineate their clinical, immunological, electrophysiological and pathological characteristics; we also reviewed our experience concerning long-term follow-up and therapy. Peripheral neuropathy associated with non-malignant anti-MAG IgM MG was observed mostly in males (sex ratio 7.2), and mean age at onset was 67 years (range 46–81). A predominantly sensory pattern was noted in more than 80% of cases, although some patients were affected by a predominantly motor peripheral neuropathy. Although disease progression was slow in most cases, 45% of patients suffered severe disability, and in 2 cases, the patient's death appeared to stem directly from the neuropathy. The electrophysiological findings were indicative of a demyelinating process in 90% of cases, and electron microscopic examination of nerve biopsy specimens demonstrated widening of the myelin lamellae in more than 95% of cases. Most of our patients showed a disappointing response to steroids and chemotherapy or plasma exchanges. Intravenous immune globulin, evaluated in 17 patients, had a transient, mostly subjective effect in 35% and led to a clear-cut improvement in 24% of cases. We did not observe any correlation between the severity of the clinical picture and the anti-sulphoglucuronyl paragloboside antibody titre; in individual cases, clinical improvement occurred without lowering of IgM levels. Although the severity and the rate of progression may greatly vary from patient to patient, the combination of clinical, electrophysiological and pathological features delineates a characteristic pattern in peripheral neuropathy associated with non-malignant anti-MAG IgM MG.     

Is there a place for gastroenterostomy in patients with advanced cancer of the head of the pancreas?

There remains doubt about the need for gastroenterostomy in patients with advanced cancer of the pancreatic head, performed either prophylactically or when passage of food becomes impossible. The records of 142 patients admitted for advanced pancreatic cancer to the Erasmus University Hospital over a period of 11 years were reviewed. We concentrated especially on the pre- and postoperative intake of food in cases involving gastroenterostomy and the morbidity and mortality associated with abdominal surgery in these patients. Of 129 patients without symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction at the time of diagnosis, 31 underwent prophylactic gastroenterostomy. The procedure did not prevent gastric outlet obstruction in 4 patients. Of the remaining 98 patients, 15 developed gastric outlet obstruction. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed no significant difference in the interval to the occurrence of a symptomatic obstruction between these two groups, taking into account other covariables. Postoperative complications and mortality regarding a gastroenterostomy were high, ranging from 9% to 41% and 11% to 33%, respectively. Our results do not indicate that prophylactic gastroenterostomy may significantly prevent future gastric outlet obstruction; therefore, as it also increases morbidity, it should not be performed. A gastroenterostomy to relieve symptoms should be considered carefully, as the success rate is low and is accompanied by a considerable incidence of morbidity and mortality.

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Resumen Persiste la duda sobre la necesidad de practicar gastroenterostomía en pacientes con cáncer avanzado de la cabeza del páncreas, así sea profiláctica o en presencia de obstrucción al paso de los alimentos. Se revisaron las historias de 142 pacientes con cáncer avanzado de la cabeza del páncreas en el Hospital de la Universidad de Erasmo observados en un periodo de 11 años. El estudio se concentré especialmente sobre la ingesta pre y postoperatoria de alimentos en los pacientos con gastroenterostomía y en la morbilidad y mortalidad asociada con la cirugía abdominal. De 129 pacientes libres de síntomas de obstrucción en el momento del diagnóstico, 31 fueron sometidos a gastroenterostomía profiláctica; el procedimiento no logró prevenir la obstrucción gástrica en 4 casos. De los 98 pacientes restantes, 15 desarrollaron obstrucción gástrico. El análisis proporcional de Cox no demostró diferencia significativa en el intervalo transcurrido hasta la aparición de los sintomas entre los dos grupos, tomando en consideración diversas variables. Las tasas de complicaciones y de mortalidad postoperatoria en relación con la gastroenterostomía fueron elevadas, 9–41% y 11–33%, respectivamente. Nuestros resultados no indican que la gastroenterostomía profiláctica pueda prevenir la obstrucción gástrica y, por cuanto incrementa la morbilidad, no debe ser realizada. La gastroenterostomía por razones de sintomatologia debe ser cuidadosamente considerada, puesto que la tasa de éxito es baja y se acompana de considerable morbilidad y mortalidad.

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Résumé Réaliser une gastroentérostomie de faÇon prophylactique ou seulement lorsque l'alimentation devient impossible chez un patient ayant un cancer de la tÊte du pancréas reste une question sans réponse. Les dossiers de 142 patients ayant un cancer avancé de la tÊte du pancréas, observés à l'HÔpital Universitaire Erasmus en l'espace de 11 ans, ont été revus. Nous avons noté la possibilité d'alimentation en périodes préet postopératoire ainsi que la morbidité et mortalité en rapport avec la chirurgie chez ces patients. Des 129 patients n'ayant pas de symptÔmes d'obstruction postpylorique au moment du diagnostic, 31 ont eu une gastroentérostomie à titre prophylactique. Cette intervention n'a pu prévenir l'obstruction chez 4 de ces patients. Des 98 autres patients, 15 ont développé une obstruction postpylorique. Une analyse multifactorielle selon le modèle de Cox n'a pu démontrer de différence significative entre les deux groupes pour l'intervalle entre le moment du diagnostic et la survenue de l'obstruction. Le taux de complications et de décès postopératoires après gastroentérostomie était élevée, variant respectivement entre 9% et 41% et 11% et 33%. Nos résultats indiquent que la gastroentérostomie à titre prophylactique ne prévient pas la survenue d'une obstruction postpylorique mais qu'elle accroÎt la morbidité. Dans ces conditions, la gastroentérostomie ne devrait Être réalisée qu'en cas d'obstruction symptomatique, mais en sachant qu'elle n'est pas toujours couronnée de succès et que les taux de mortalité et de morbidité ne sont pas nuls.

     

Comparison Between Incremental and Single-Dose Allergen Administration in Bronchial Provocation Tests

To study the effect of different schedules of allergen administration on the early (EAR) and late allergic reaction (LAR), 15 asthmatic patients with dual response after allergen challenge were submitted to two consecutive bronchoprovocation tests (BPT). BPT₁ was carried out with semilogarithmic increase of allergen doses until a FEV₁ drop of 20% was recorded. BPT₂ was performed 2 weeks later using the highest allergen dose that had elicited the dual reaction in BPT₁. Both EAR and LAR were very similar for a given patient. As the allergen dose used in BPT₂ is smaller than the cumulative allergen dose administered in BPT₁, this protocol takes into account a possible influence on BPT₂ of bronchial hyperreactivity induced by BPT₁ performed 2 weeks before.