Predictors of Repeat Emergency Department Visits by Elders

Objective: To determine which characteristics of older patients who use a hospital ED are associated with repeat visits during the 90 days following the index visit.
Methods: The study was conducted in the ED of a 400-bed university-affiliated acute care community hospital in Montreal. Patients aged ≥75 years who visited the ED between 08:00 and and 16:00 on a convenience sample of days over an 8-week period (July and August 1994) were assessed using a questionnaire, physical and cognitive status instruments, and a functional problem checklist. The hospital's administrative database was used to identify repeat visits during the 90 days following the ED visit. The representativeness of the sample was assessed by analyses of ED visits made by 4,466 persons aged ≥65 years during a 12-month period (September 1993 to August 1994) using the hospital's administrative database.
Results: 256 patients aged ≥75 years visited the ED during the study period and 167 were assessed. Of these, 54 (32%) were admitted to the hospital. Among the 113 patients released from the ED, 27 (24%) made repeat visits during the next 90 days. In univariate analyses, repeat visits were significantly associated with the number of functional problems, cognitive impairment, and previous ED visits. In multiple logistic regression, male gender, living alone, and number of functional problems were independent predictors of repeat visits. In the administrative data analyses, nighttime arrival to the ED for the index visit was significantly associated with repeat visits.
Conclusions: Self-reported risk factors can help to identify a group of elders likely to make repeated ED visits; the development of a screening instrument incorporating questions on these problems and implementation of appropriate interventions might improve these patients' quality of life and reduce the demand for further ED care in this age group.     

The relationship of proliferating cell density at the invasive tumour front with prognostic and risk factors in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We hypothesise that the density of proliferating cells at the invasive tumour front (ITF) has a positive relationship with prognostic and risk factors in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Tissues from 47 human oral SCC specimens were collected and stained with a monoclonal antibody directed against the Ki-67 antigen using a horseradish peroxidase based two-step immunostaining method. Counting was performed on two parallel sections at the ITF using an image analyser. The Ki-67 labelling index (LI) was determined by measuring the number of nuclei/mm(2) of epithelium. RESULTS: Our results show that the density of proliferating cells is related to clinical staging, with advanced stage of disease having a significantly higher Ki-67 LI compared with early stage of disease (2111 +/- 905 vs. 1908 +/- 913; P = 0.03). Importantly, this study shows that tumours that have metastasised have a significantly higher Ki-67 LI than tumours where distant metastasis was not detected (3257 +/- 650 vs. 1966 +/- 881; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Cell proliferation, as measured by the Ki-67 LI at the ITF, has a positive relationship with clinical staging, tumour thickness, smoking status of the patient and alcohol consumption. Further, we suggest that a multicenter study with a large cohort of patients is indicated to fully elucidate whether cell proliferation at the ITF is directly related to patient survival.     

Relative frequency of solitary melanocytic lesions of the oral mucosa

Background: Solitary pigmented lesions of melanocytic origin are uncommon in the oral mucosa. These lesions include the oral and labial melanotic macule, oral melanocytic nevus, oral melanoacanthoma, oral melanoma and atypical melanocytic proliferation. The purpose of the study was twofold: to report a large series of solitary melanocytic lesions from one source, and to determine the relative frequency of these lesions. Methods: The study was based on a systematic search of the files of the Pacific Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory, University of the Pacific, San Francisco for solitary pigmented melanocytic lesions (benign and malignant) accessed during the years 1984–2002. Results: Of the 89 430 biopsies accessed during the 19‐year period, 773 (0.83%) cases of solitary pigmented melanocytic lesions in the oral mucosa were identified. Oral and labial melanotic macules were the most common melanocytic lesions comprising 86.1% of the entire group and 0.7% of the total number of accessed biopsies. The vermilion border and gingiva were the most common sites (31.1% and 31.0% respectively). Oral melanocytic nevi comprised 11.8% of the entire melanocytic group and 0.1% of the total number of biopsies. The most common site was the palate (44%). Intramucosal nevi were the most common (64%), followed by compound nevi (16.5%) and common blue nevi (16.5%). Junctional nevi were uncommon (3.0%). Oral melanoacanthoma comprised only 0.9% of the entire melanocytic group and 0.008% of the total number of biopsies. Oral melanoma and atypical melanocytic proliferation were the least common lesions each comprising 0.6% of the entire melanocytic group and 0.006% of the total number of biopsies. The most common site for oral melanoma was the palate (60%). Conclusion: The palate was the most common location for both melanocytic nevi and oral melanoma. Thus, all melanocytic lesions in the palate should be viewed with caution and biopsy is recommended to rule out melanoma. Further studies are required to elucidate the entity of oral atypical melanocytic proliferation.     

End-tidal Carbon Dioxide Monitoring during Procedural Sedation

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively determine whether end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitors can detect respiratory depression (RD) and the level of sedation in emergency department (ED) patients undergoing procedural sedation (PS). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted in an urban county hospital of adult patients undergoing PS. Patients were monitored for vital signs, depth of sedation per the physician by the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale (OAA/S), pulse oximetry, and nasal-sample ETCO2 during PS. Respiratory depression was defined as an oxygen saturation <90%, an ETCO2 >50 mm Hg, or an absent ETCO2 waveform at any time during the procedure. The physician also determined whether protective airway reflexes were lost during the procedure and assisted ventilation was required, or whether there were any other complications. Rates of RD were compared with the physician assessment of airway loss and between agents using chi-square statistics. Spearman's rho analysis was used to determine whether there was a correlation between ETCO2 and the OAA/S score. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were enrolled in the study. Forty (54.1%) received methohexital, 21 (28.4%) received propofol, ten (13.5%) received fentanyl and midazolam, and three (4.1%) received etomidate. Respiratory depression was seen in 33 (44.6%) patients, including 47.5% of patients receiving methohexital, 19% receiving propofol (p = 0.008), 80% receiving fentanyl and midazolam, and 66.6% receiving etomidate. No correlation between OAA/S and ETCO2 was detected. Eleven (14.9%) patients required assisted ventilation at some point during the procedure, all of whom met the criteria for RD. Pulse oximetry detected 11 of the 33 patients with RD. Post-hoc analysis revealed that all patients with RD had an ETCO2 >50 mm Hg, an absent waveform, or an absolute change from baseline in ETCO2 >10 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between ETCO2 and the OAA/S score. Using the criteria of an ETCO2 >50 mm Hg, an absolute change >10 mm Hg, or an absent waveform may detect subclinical RD not detected by pulse oximetry alone. The ETCO2 may add to the safety of PS by quickly detecting hypoventilation during PS in the ED.     

The combination oral and nutritional treatment of late-onset diabetes mellitus (CONTROL DM) trial results.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of short-term improvements in glycaemic control on brachial artery endothelial function as a marker of cardiovascular health. METHODS: Persons with Type 2 diabetes who were poorly controlled on oral therapy were randomly assigned to monotherapy with repaglinide or combination therapy with repaglinide plus metformin. Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation was assessed by ultrasonography at randomization and following 16 weeks of therapy. The primary outcome was change in brachial artery endothelial function from baseline. Comparison of randomized groups was a secondary aim. RESULTS: Eighty-six participants were randomized, and 83 were followed to study completion. Post occlusion brachial artery vasodilation was 3.74% at baseline and 3.82% following 16 weeks of therapy (P = 0.77). The treatment effect was 0.08% (95% CI: -0.48%, 0.64%). No difference was seen between treatment groups (P = 0.69). Overall, A1C was reduced from 8.3% to 7.0%, with a greater reduction in the combination therapy group (from 8.4% to 6.7%) than in the monotherapy group (from 8.3% to 7.3%, p for difference between groups = 0.01). Statistically significant reductions were observed in fasting glucose, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Statistically significant increases were observed for fasting insulin, uric acid, weight and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Brachial artery endothelial function was not influenced by short-term improvements in glycaemic control. The CONTROL DM group was successful in lowering A1C. Future research should explore more intensive and longer-lasting improvements in glycaemic control on endothelial function. Some data previously published in abstract form (Diabetes 2001; 50 (Suppl. 2): A217).     

太极通天液治疗血管性痴呆的疗效评价

目的：评价太极通天液治疗血管性痴呆的临床疗效。方法：随机将148例血管性痴呆分为太极通天液治疗组和丹参口服液对照组，另接应用韦氏成人智力量表评分，将血管性痴呆组分为3个亚组：即80－89分组，70－79分组和70分以下组，观察期为3个月。结果：太极通天液治疗前后WAIS－RC评分与对照组比较，80－89分组和70－79分组均有统计学差异（P＜0．05），而70分以下组无统计学差异（P＞0．05），结论：太极通天液对血管性痴呆有较好的治疗效果，且与痴呆病情程度有关。     

Comparison of the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus, WHO-1985, ADA-1997 and WHO-1999 in the adult population of Asturias (Spain).

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus with three diagnostic criteria (WHO-1985 and 1999 and ADA-1997), evaluate their concordance and analyse the sensitivity and specificity of the different screening strategies for diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional population study with two-step sampling. One thousand and 34 people were selected randomly. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and venous blood samples were obtained fasting and at 2 h. RESULTS: The prevalence of known Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) is 4%[95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8, 5.1]. By WHO-1985 criteria the prevalence of unknown DM-2 is 5.9% (4.5, 7.4); by ADA-1997 criteria 3.5% (2.5, 4.6) and by WHO-1999 criteria 7.3% (5.8, 8.8). Diagnostic overlap and statistical concordance (coefficient K) are WHO-1985/ADA-1997 29.3%, K=0.42; WHO-1985/WHO-1999 80%, K=0.88; ADA-1997/WHO-1999 48%, K=0.63. If only fasting glucose was used (following ADA-1997), 36.3% of those with diabetes (2-h glucose > or =11.1 mmol/l) would be diagnosed. If OGTT was performed (i) in those with a fasting glucose between 6.1 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l (9.8% of the population) we would diagnose 66.6%, and (ii) in all those between 5.7 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l (18.9% of the population) 81.8% would be diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: The ADA criteria decrease the prevalence of DM in the adult population of Asturias by 2.4% and concordance with the classical criteria (WHO-1985) was only 29.3%. Using fasting glucose only (ADA-1997) diagnoses 36.3% of those with diabetes. The recent recommendations of the WHO-1999 increases this to 66.6%. To improve the diagnostic strategy for diabetes and detect up to 81.8% of patients, we propose the use of OGTT for all those with a fasting glucose between 5.7 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l.     

Photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) Induced by Afloqualone

We reported a case of photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) type drug eruption due to afloqualone (Arofuto®). The patient was given afloqualone and imipramine hydrochloride (Chrytemin®) for cervical spondylosis from November of 1990. Edematous erythema with slight itching appeared on the sun-exposed areas in December of 1990. As drug eruption was suspected, drugs were ceased, and the cutaneous lesions almost disappeared but pigmentations and depigmentations developed in spots in sun-exposed areas in March of 1991. Photopatch and oral challenge tests were positive.