Tumeur stromale maligne sur diverticule de Meckel géant

Acta Endoscopica - Les tumeurs malignes primitives surviennent sur 1% des diverticules de Meckel. Elles sont dominées par les tumeurs carcinoïdes et suivies par les léiomyosarcomes...     

Reversed cross finger subcutaneous flap: A rapid way to cover finger defects

Adequate coverage of dorsal finger wounds is often a challenge. The reversed cross finger subcutaneous flap to cover defects on the dorsum of phalanx constitutes an excellent option for coverage of wounds over the middle and distal phalanges of the index, middle, ring, and small fingers. It''s an easy flap and represents our first choice to cover those defects.     

Factors influencing quality of life in Moroccan postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fracture assessed by ECOS 16 questionnaire

Objective  

The aim of the study was to evaluate factors influencing quality of life (QOL) in Moroccan postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fracture assessed by the Arabic version of ECOS 16 questionnaire.     

Eosinopenia is a reliable marker of sepsis on admission to medical intensive care units

Introduction

Eosinopenia is a cheap and forgotten marker of acute infection that has not been evaluated previously in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of the present study was to test the value of eosinopenia in the diagnosis of sepsis in patients admitted to ICUs.

Methods

A prospective study of consecutive adult patients admitted to a 12-bed medical ICU was performed. Eosinophils were measured at ICU admission. Two intensivists blinded to the eosinophils classified patients as negative or with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock.

Results

A total of 177 patients were enrolled. In discriminating noninfected (negative + SIRS) and infected (sepsis + severe sepsis + septic shock) groups, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83 to 0.94). Eosinophils at <50 cells/mm³ yielded a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI, 71% to 86%), a specificity of 91% (95% CI, 79% to 96%), a positive likelihood ratio of 9.12 (95% CI, 3.9 to 21), and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.21(95% CI, 0.15 to 0.31). In discriminating SIRS and infected groups, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.94). Eosinophils at <40 cells/mm³ yielded a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI, 71% to 86%), a specificity of 80% (95% CI, 55% to 93%), a positive likelihood ratio of 4 (95% CI, 1.65 to 9.65), and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.25 (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.36).

Conclusion

Eosinopenia is a good diagnostic marker in distinguishing between noninfection and infection, but is a moderate marker in discriminating between SIRS and infection in newly admitted critically ill patients. Eosinopenia may become a helpful clinical tool in ICU practices.     

Prevalence of hospital-acquired infection in a Moroccan university hospital

BACKGROUND: Infection control and hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prevalence reports from developing countries are often not well established because of the lack of staff and resources. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HAI in a Moroccan hospital as well as to identify its predisposing factors. METHODS: A one-day prevalence survey was conducted in April 2005 at Ibn Sina University Hospital which included all inpatients who had been in the hospital for at least 48 hours. RESULTS: Among 658 patients surveyed, the prevalence of HAI was 17.8%. The prevalence was higher in intensive care units (50%). The most frequently infected sites were urinary tract (35%) and surgical wounds (32.5%). Microbiological documentation was available in only 31.6% of HAIs. The most frequently isolated organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (30%) and Proteus mirabilis (25%). Results of multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that HAI is linked to the surgical category, a hospital stay of more than 10 days, and the use of intravascular and urinary devices. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HAI is high at our center. This survey provided the principal information for future surveillance and prevention programs in Morocco.     

Measurement properties of the short form 36 and health-related quality of life after intensive care in Morocco

BACKGROUND: Intensive care patients have a health-related quality of life (HRQL) that differs from the normal population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the measurement properties of the Arabic version of the short form (SF)-36 and study the HRQL determinants in adult patients 3 months after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A prospective cohort study after ICU discharge. At 3-month follow up, the SF-36 was administered in consultation or by telephone. Multitrait scaling analysis was used to confirm the hypothesized scale structure of the SF-36. Reliability was tested using (i) measuring internal consistency; and (ii) the test-retest reliability assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient. Construct validity was tested by known-groups comparison using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: A total of 145 survivors answered the SF-36. Item internal convergency was higher than 0.40 (0.77-0.99; 100% scaling success) and item discriminant validity was perfect (100% scaling success) except for physical functioning (81% scaling success). Cronbach's alpha exceeded 0.70 in all eight scales (0.84-0.99). Test-retest reliability conducted in 73 patients was above 0.80. Acceptability to patients appeared reasonable although considerable interview time was required to administer the SF-36. Construct validity was confirmed by lower scores being reported by women, older age and a high level of comorbidities groups. When adjusted for background data, ICU variables were not associated with the SF-36 scores. CONCLUSIONS: The Arabic version of the SF-36 appears to be a robust tool in ICU. Background variables are the only significant determinants of HRQL 3 months after medical ICU discharge.     

Results of a public awareness campaign in Morocco regarding the sun's deleterious effects

Objective To investigate knowledge of the various sun radiation–related risks and awareness of photoprotection measures using a sample of the Moroccan population. Methods An investigation of prevalence, which was administered while a public awareness campaign on the sun's harmful effects, organized by the department of dermatology of Ibn Sina's hospital in Rabat, was running. The collection of the data was made on the basis of a questionnaire that was filled by the team of the doctors of the department. The logistic regression allowed to identify the explanatory factors for the prevalent knowledge and behaviours related to the subject in hand. Results Four hundred eleven subjects were included in the survey. The subjects' average age was 40 ± 10 years. Eighty‐four per cent were female. The analysis of the total score of knowledge related to the sunrays’ deleterious effects demonstrated low levels of knowledge among 160 participants (38.9%). Females were clearly more knowledgeable than the opposite sex (P = 0.003) and also those having a higher educational level (P = 0.006) scored high. The use of sunscreens was recognized by 52.8% of the patients and was associated with female gender and higher educational level. Conclusion Our study reports the results of the first public awareness campaign on the sun's deleterious effects on the Moroccan population, inclusive and relevant to all ages. Awareness of the sun's radiation‐related risks in a country as sunny as ours is low, whereas different measures of photoprotection are rather well known. Messages adapted to the characteristics of our population are a necessity.     

Low bone mineral density is related to atherosclerosis in postmenopausal Moroccan women

Background  

Some studies have implicated several possible metabolic linkages between osteoporosis and vascular calcification, including estrogen deficiency, vitamin D excess, vitamin K deficiency and lipid oxidation products. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether osteoporosis and atherosclerosis are related to each other or are independent processes, both related to aging. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the correlation between arterial thickening and bone status in a sample of apparently healthy Moroccan women.     

Comparative efficiency of nebulized adrenaline and salbutamol in severe acute asthma. A randomized,controlled prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To compare nebulized salbutamol and nebulized adrenaline in acute severe asthma (ASA). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: October 1998 at May 99, 44 patients (31 women and 13 men, 35 +/- 11 yrs) with ASA (defined as peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) < 150 l min-1 and normo- or hypercapnia) were randomized to receive either nebulized salbutamol (n = 22), 10 mg/h-1 during 2 h then 5 mg every 4 h or nebulized adrenaline (n = 22), 6 mg/h-1 during 2 h then 3 mg every 4 h. The efficacy was assessed by PEF, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and Fischl's score during eight hours and by arterial blood gases during the first hour. Side-effects were evaluated by heart rate, systolic blood pressure, serum potassium and blood glucose. Statistical tests: Wilcoxon, Fischer exact, ANOVA and Scheffe's test. RESULTS: Both groups were similar with respect to age, sex, severity, duration of asthma and length of crisis. With the two treatments, PEF increased significantly but no statistical difference were observed between the two groups during the eight hours: 117.7 +/- 41.6 l min-1 to 203.3 +/- 56.9 l min-1 in the salbutamol group; 116.4 +/- 36.8 l min-1 to 217.3 +/- 188.8 l min-1 in the adrenaline group; p = 0.77. FEV1, Fischl's score and arterial blood gases did not differ significantly between treatments at every time interval. There were no significant difference between the two groups in terms of side-effects. The intravenous way was necessary at 3 cases of the salbutamol group and 4 cases of adrenaline group (NS). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that nebulized adrenaline is as effective as nebulized salbutamol in the ASA without significant side-effects. The nebulization could reduce systemic effects of adrenaline.