Device assessed activity behaviours in patients with indwelling pleural catheter: A sub-study of the Australasian Malignant PLeural Effusion (AMPLE)-2 randomized trial

Background and Objective

Device-assessed activity behaviours are a novel measure for comparing intervention outcomes in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Australasian Malignant PLeural Effusion (AMPLE)-2 was a multi-centre clinical trial where participants with MPE treated with an indwelling pleural catheter were randomized to daily (DD) or symptom-guided (SGD) drainage for 60-days. Our aim was to describe activity behaviour patterns in MPE patients, explore the impact of drainage regimen on activity behaviours and examine associations between activity behaviours and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

Following randomization to DD or SGD, participants enrolled at the lead site (Perth) completed accelerometry assessment. This was repeated monthly for 5-months. Activity behaviour outcomes were calculated as percent of daily waking-wear time and compared between groups (Mann–Whitney U test; Median [IQR]). Correlations between activity behaviour outcomes and QoL were examined.

Results

Forty-one (91%) participants provided ≥1 valid accelerometry assessment (DDn = 20, SGD n = 21). Participants spent a large proportion of waking hours sedentary (72%–74% across timepoints), and very little time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (<1% across timepoints). Compared to SGD group, DD group had a more favourable sedentary-to-light ratio in the week following randomization (2.4 [2.0–3.4] vs. 3.2 [2.4–6.1]; p = 0.047) and at 60-days (2.0 [1.9–2.9] vs. 2.9 [2.8–6.0]; p = 0.016). Sedentary-to-light ratio was correlated with multiple QoL domains at multiple timepoints.

Conclusion

Patients with MPE are largely sedentary. Preliminary results suggest that even modest differences in activity behaviours favouring the DD group could be meaningful for this clinical population. Accelerometry reflects QoL and is a useful outcome measure in MPE populations.     

A cross-sectional assessment of frailty,falls and perceptions of ageing in people living with HIV using an mHealth platform

Objective

To evaluate frailty, falls and perceptions of ageing among clinically stable individuals with HIV, engaged with remote healthcare delivered via a novel smartphone application.

Methods

This was a multi-centre European cross-sectional, questionnaire-based sub-study of EmERGE participants. Frailty was assessed using the five-item FRAIL scale. Present criteria were summed and categorized as follows: 0, robust; 1–2, pre-frail; 3–5, frail. Falls history and EQ-5D-5L quality of life measure were completed. Participants were asked their felt age and personal satisfaction with ageing.

Results

A total of 1373 participated, with a mean age of 45 (± 9.8) years. Frailty was uncommon at 2%; 12.4% fell in the previous year, 58.8% of these recurrently. Mood symptoms and pain were prevalent, at 43.3% and 31.8%, respectively. Ageing satisfaction was high at 76.4%, with 74.6% feeling younger than their chronological age; the mean felt age was 39.3 years. In multivariable analysis, mood symptoms and pain were positively associated with frailty, falls and ageing dissatisfaction. An increase in pain severity and mood symptoms were respectively associated with 34% and 63% increased odds of pre-frailty/frailty. An increment in pain symptoms was associated with a 71% increase in odds of falling. Pain was associated with ageing poorly, as were mood symptoms, with odds of dissatisfaction increasing by 34% per increment in severity.

Conclusions

Although uncommon, frailty, falls and ageing dissatisfaction were seen in a younger cohort with medically stable HIV infection using a remote care model, promoting screening as advocated by European guidelines. These were more common in those with pain or mood symptoms, which should be proactively managed in clinical care and explored further in future research.     

Clinical characteristics and mortality rates for suprachoroidal hemorrhage: seven-year experience at a tertiary eye center

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To investigate comorbidities and medications associated with acute (ASCH) and delayed (DSCH) suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH), and...     

Serial measurements of f/VT can predict extubation failure in patients with f/VT ≤ 105?

Objective

To evaluate is serial measurements of respiratory rate (frequency to tidal volume, f/VT) may predict extubation failure (EF) from mechanical ventilation in patients following a successful spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) with first measurement of f/V_T ≤ 105.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Two medical-surgical intensive care units.

Patients

Seventy-three patients ventilated for more than 48 hours after successful SBT were extubated and followed up for postextubation respiratory distress during 48 hours.

Results

Extubation failure occurred in 16 (21.9%) of 73 patients. Factors such as age, sex, Apache II score, days on mechanical ventilation, respiratory failure cause, and hemodynamic or ventilatory parameters did not predict EF. Patients were evaluated during 120 minutes of SBT, and f/V_T was measured at the 1st minute (f/V_T−1), 30th minute (f/V_T−30), and 120th minute (f/V_T−120). The f/V_T−30 increased as compared with f/V_T−1 (79 ± 24 vs 68 ± 30, P = .01) but did not differ from f/V_T−120 (79 ± 44 vs 81 ± 42, P = .79). The f/V_T−1 was lower in successful extubation (ES) as compared with EF patients (62 ± 29 vs 82 ± 15, P = .01), and this difference was unchanged during the trial (f/V_T−30: ES [63 ± 22] vs EF [85 ± 24], P = .02; and f/V_T−120: ES [65 ± 26] vs EF [88 ± 20], P = .01)].

Conclusions

Serial f/V_T measurements during 120 minutes of SBT were unable to detect EF in patients following a successful SBT with initial f/V_T lower than 105.