Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva without characteristic skeletal anomalies

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare but extremely disabling genetic disease of the skeletal system. This disease is characterized by progression of heterotopic ossification within skeletal muscles, ligaments and tendons. Most patients with FOP are misdiagnosed early in life before the appearance of heterotopic ossification and undergo diagnostic procedures such as biopsy that can cause lifelong disability. Almost all of the patients have some peculiar congenital anomalies, including short great toes, hallux valgus, short thumbs and hypoplasia of digital phalanges. These congenital defects support the diagnosis of FOP, but are not constantly observed in the totality of patients. If necessary, genetic studies can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, patients should be advised in order to avoid unnecessary traumas, surgical procedures, biopsies, intramuscular injections and vaccinations. Here, we describe a patient with FOP without characteristic congenital skeletal anomalies.     

The role of peer support education model on the quality of life and self-care behaviors of patients with myocardial infarction

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effect of peer education on the quality of life and self-care behaviors of patients with myocardial infarction.MethodsIn this clinical trial, 70 patients with myocardial infarction meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to experimental (n = 35) or control (n = 35) groups using block randomization. Patients in the intervention group received two one-hour training sessions on the third day after myocardial infarction during the CCU stay along with routine care. Education intervention was performed by peers. The control group will follow routine care. All patients selected were assessed using McNews' quality of life questionnaire and Miller self-care questionnaire, respectively before the intervention and also one month after discharge. Chi-square and t-test were used to analyze the data.ResultsAfter the intervention, the mean of quality of life and the mean score of self-care behaviors in the experimental group were significantly higher compared to the control group.ConclusionsAccording to the results, to improve the quality of life and promote the self-care behaviors in such patients, using peer education along with healthcare professionals is recommended.Practice ImplicationThis patient education approach had a significant impact on quality of life and self-care behavior.     

Incidence rate of prostate cancer in men treated for erectile dysfunction with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: retrospective analysis

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence rate of prostate cancer among men with erectile dysfunction (ED) treated with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) over a 7-year period vs. men with ED of the same age and with similar risk factors who were not treated with PDE-5i. In a retrospective review of electronic medical records and billing databases between the years 2000 and 2006, men with ED between the ages of 50 and 69 years and no history of prostate cancer prior to 2000 were identified. These individuals were divided into two groups: 2362 men who had treatment with PDE-5i, and 2612 men who did not have treatment. Demographic data in each group were compared. During the study period, 97 (4.1%) men with ED treated with PDE-5i were diagnosed with prostate cancer compared with 258 (9.9%) men with ED in the non-treated group (P<00001). A higher percentage of African Americans were treated with PDE-5i vs. those who were not (10.5% vs. 7.1% P<0.0001). The PDE-5i group had lower documented diagnosis of elevated prostate-specific antigen (10.0% vs. 13.1% P=0.0008) and higher percentage of benign prostatic hyperplasia (38.4% vs. 35.1% P=0.0149). Men with ED treated with PDE-5i tended to have less chance (adjusted odds ratio: 0.4; 95% confidence intervals: 0.3–0.5; P<0.0001) of having prostate cancer. Our data suggest that men with ED treated with PDE-5i tended to have less of a chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Further research is warranted.     

Recurrent herpes labialis among health school students in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey: A cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the epidemiologic characteristics of, and the treatments used for, recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) in health students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 333 nursing and midwifery students. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their history of RHL, and the treatments were collected by means of a standard self-reported questionnaire form.ResultsThe point prevalence of RHL was 3.9%, the annual prevalence was 44.7%, and the lifetime prevalence was 52.5%. These prevalences were not related to the participants' place of residence, level of income, school, gender, marital status, or smoking status (p > 0.05). RHL was frequently seen on the right side of the lower lip (17.9%). One third of the students who experienced RHL stated that they had applied treatment to the lesion. However, only 20.1% stated that they had used antiviral therapy. Treatment was recommended by a physician for only 16.1% of the subjects.ConclusionsThe prevalence of RHL was high among the health students, who were considered to represent young adults. Although they were students in a school of health, they lacked knowledge about RHL.