ROMEO: rethink organization to improve education and outcomes.

AIMS: Scarcity of resources, expertise and evidence-based models have so far limited delivery of patient-centred diabetes education. We have developed and validated a group care approach that is applicable to everyday clinical practice and cost-effective in improving metabolic control, knowledge of diabetes, health behaviours, and quality of life in Type 2 diabetes. A clinical trial (ROMEO) was planned to evaluate applicability and reproducibility of group care in other outpatients facilities and assess its impact on a larger patient population. METHODS: Multicentre, randomized, controlled clinical trial of group vs. individual care in the routine management of Type 2 diabetes. Nine hundred patient aged < 80, with diabetes of > or =1 year known duration, treated by either diet alone or diet and oral agents, will be recruited in 15 centres and followed for 4 years. Training of physicians, nurses and dietitians included preparation of operating manual and videos, interactive sessions, and evaluation of local facilities and resources. RESULTS: Primary measurements: 3-monthly HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, body weight, waist-hip ratio, yearly blood lipids, and bi-yearly assessment of knowledge of diabetes, health behaviours and quality of life. Secondary outcomes: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, evaluation of ECG for ischaemia and QT interval, hypoglycaemic and anti-hypertensive medication and cardiovascular events. Analysis will be by intention-to-treat. DISCUSSION: If ROMEO confirms that group care can be successfully implemented in different clinics, a novel clinico-pedagogic tool will have been acquired to support patient-centred education, improve lifestyle and outcomes, support team work, enhance providers' attitudes and competencies and ameliorate diabetes care organization.     

Risk factors and obstetric complications associated with macrosomia.

OBJECTIVE: Macrosomia is associated with adverse maternal outcomes. The objective of this study was to characterize the epidemiology of macrosomia and related maternal complications. METHOD: Live births (146,526) were identified between 1995 and 1999 in the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program's Northern California Region (KPMCP NCR) database. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed for risk factors and complications associated with macrosomia (birth weight >4500 g). RESULT: Male infant sex, multiparity, maternal age 30-40, white race, diabetes, and gestational age >41 weeks were associated with macrosomia (p<0.001). In bivariate and multivariate analyses, macrosomia was associated with higher rates of cesarean birth, chorioamnionitis, shoulder dystocia, fourth-degree perineal lacerations, postpartum hemorrhage, and prolonged hospital stay (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Macrosomia was associated with adverse maternal outcomes in this cohort. More research is needed to determine how to prevent complications related to excessive birth weight.     

The hospital as an enterprise: management strategies

After introducing the context in which health systems exist in developing as well as in industrialized countries, the author describes the role that hospitals are expected to play as 'enterprises'. The rationale behind such a role is explored and the experience so far available discussed. Evidence from several developing countries suggests caution and tends to discourage radical and indiscriminate introduction of market‐oriented reforms, which international donors seem to be spearheading in Africa's health systems. It is likely, however, that a limited, gradual introduction of selected elements of these reforms (such as some aspects of contracting out, managerial decentralization, the split between purchasing and providing functions) may find its place and eventually have a positive impact on the performance of the health systems. But the 'mystique of markets' must not be allowed to deprive public hospitals of the sense of social utility and of the caring ethos which are essential requisites of a meaningful and effective public health system.     

高渗盐水与甘露醇对颅脑手术患者脑氧代谢的影响

目的 比较3％高渗盐水（HTS）与20％甘露醇对颅脑手术患者脑氧代谢的影响。方法 择期大脑半球胶质瘤切除术患者40例，ASAⅠ级或Ⅱ级，随机分为2组（n=20）：3％HTS组（HTS组）和20％甘露醇组（M组）。采用静吸复合麻醉，呼气末异氟醚浓度为1 MAC、血液动力学稳定15．min后，分别于15 min内静脉输注3％HTS 5．35 ml／kg或20％，甘露醇1 g／kg。L3，4珠网膜下腔置管测脑脊液压力（CSFP），行右颈静脉球穿刺置管、采血，测定颈静脉球氧饱和度。分别于输注前（T0）、输注完即刻（T1）、输注完15min（T2）、30min（T3）、60min（T4）、120min（T5）监测CSFP;于T0、T3-T5时监测平均动脉压，采集颈静脉球部和桡动脉血，进行血气分析，计算动脉-静脉氧含量差（Da-jvO2）、脑氧摄取率（CERO2）。结果 与T0比较，2组CSFP在T2-T5时降低，Da-jvO2和CERO2在T4，5时降低（P〈0．05）;与M组比较，HTS组CSFP在T2时降低（P〈0．05）。结论 3％HTS与20%甘露醇均可有效地降低颅内压，改善颅脑手术患者的脑氧代谢。     

Keratinocyte-derived Cytokines and UVB-Induced Immunosuppression

Ultraviolet radiation (UVB) in sunlight is known to have multiple effects on the immune system. Evidence suggests that UVB-induced immunosuppression is mediated in part by immunosuppressive and immunoregulatory cytokines. Our studies have utilized gene-targeted mutant mice to determine key molecular requirements essential for the development of UVB-induced immunosuppression. Preliminary results from our laboratory suggest that TNF-α plays a regulatory role in contact hypersensitivity, but is not a crucial factor for UVB-induced immunosuppression, and that multiple factors are involved in the induction of UVB mediated immunosuppression.     

Intracerebral temperature monitoring in severely head injured patients

Summary In a series of 6 severely head injured patients, intraventricular as well as rectal, bladder and jugular vein temperature is recorded. The relationship between these temperatures in different conditions is evaluated. Intracerebral temperature is 0.5±0.2 °C (mean ± SD) higher than bladder temperature except in conditions such as brain death. It is concluded that rectal temperature is not representative and therefore not a good alternative to the measurement of brain temperature. More data on human intracerebral temperature are mandatory as well as prospective studies correlating intracerebral temperature with final outcome in head injury.     

甲基强的松龙冲击疗法治疗重型脱髓鞘脑病患者的护理

采用大剂量甲基强的松龙治疗脱髓鞘脑病患者１５例。在治疗过程中，积极预防应激性溃疡，加强呼吸道及人工冬眠护理。经５次治疗，１４例症状明显改善。     

Posterior segment eye-surgery in day care?

Day care is generally accepted in anterior segment eye-surgery. In the Rotterdam Eye Hospital this option was also considered for posterior segment surgery. We were interested in the opinion, of patients on this matter and therefore asked patients, who were admitted for posterior segment eye-surgery, to answer a questionnaire. The major question was: ‘If your physician had given his permission, do you think it would have been possible for you to go home on the evening after surgery?’. Other questions evaluated problems in organising assistance at home and transportation to the out-patient clinic as well as circumstances after the operation, such as pain, nausea, dizziness and anxiety. Eighty-one out of 87 patients responded: 56% answered ‘eyes’ and 44% ‘no’ to the major question. Relating the answer to the major question to medical data and to answers to the other questions, we found organizational problems at home and anxiety to have a statistical significant relation with a negative answer. Clinical factors like age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-class, diabetes mellitus (including insulin-dependant), type of anesthesia, time of the day the surgery was finished, duration of surgery, pain, nausea or dizziness were not signficantly related. The number of patients involved in this study, however, is too small to draw conclusions on specific subgroups of patients.     

The therapeutic value of vasodilator prostaglandins in multiple organ failure associated with sepsis

There is considerable evidence from animal and human studies of sepsis and acute lung injury that prostacyclin and PGE₁ may have a beneficial effect on tissue perfusion with a reduction in the severity of tissue damage associated with these disorders. As yet, there are no good data from controlled clinical trials that these agents improve survival and it is not clear whether in the future such data will be forthcoming. Nevertheless, using various physiological end-points, both prostaglandins seem to be beneficial in sepsis and when used in combination with the whole process of Intensive Therapy, may contribute to the survival of some cases. Although the assessment of combinations of agents designed to inhibit mediator release might be more useful, it remains to be seen whether the relatively insensitive controlled clinical trial, with survival as its endpoint, is the appropriate tool for assessing efficacy in the ITU. Perhaps, the consensus approach has something to offer in this situation!