Addressing current treatment challenges in Crohn's disease in real life: A physician's survey

BackgroundIn recent years several trials have addressed treatment challenges in Crohn's disease. Clinical trials however, represent a very special situation.AimsTo perform a cross-sectional survey among gastroenterologists on the current clinical real life therapeutic approach focussing on the use of biologics.MethodsA survey including six main questions on clinical management of loss of response, diagnostic evaluation prior to major treatment changes, preference for anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agent, (de-)escalation strategies as well as a basic section regarding personal information was sent by mail to all gastroenterologists in Switzerland (n = 318).ResultsIn total, 120 questionnaires were analysed (response rate 37.7%). 90% of gastroenterologists in Switzerland use a thiopurine as the first step-up strategy (anti-TNF alone 7.5%, combination 2.5%). To address loss of response, most physicians prefer shortening the interval of anti-TNF administration followed by dose increase, switching the biologic and adding a thiopurine. In case of prolonged remission on combination therapy, the thiopurine is stopped first (52.6%) after a mean treatment duration of 15.7 months (biologic first in 41.4%).ConclusionsEveryday clinical practice in Crohn's disease patients appears to be incongruent with clinical data derived from major trials. Studies investigating reasons underlying these discrepancies are of need to optimize and harmonize treatment.     

Does the etiology affect the outcome and satisfaction rates of penile prosthesis implantation surgery?

Our aim was to compare the outcomes and satisfaction rates of men undergoing penile prostheses implantation (PPI) secondary to radical prostatectomy (RP) and other causes of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 142 patients, of whom 60 underwent PPI due to ED following RP (Group 1) and 82 underwent PPI due to ED with other vasculogenic causes (Group 2) were included in this study. The preoperative erectile status was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The satisfaction of patients and partners were evaluated by a telephone interview using Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction Partner Survey. Preoperative mean IIEF scores were significantly lower in Group 1 (17.5 ± 6.4 vs. 24.2 ± 5.1, p = 0.01). For Groups 1 and 2, the mean EDITS scores of the patients were 58 ± 10 and 71 ± 8, respectively, and that for the partners were 46 ± 8 and 65 ± 7, respectively. Group 1 had significantly lower scores both for the EDITS and the EDITS Partner Survey (p = 0.03, p = 0.01, respectively). Patients who had undergone RP and their partners were found to have lower satisfaction rates compared to patients with other causes of vasculogenic ED who had penile implant surgery. From this point of view, it is important to know the patient's expectations about the treatment outcomes and a preoperative psychological and sexual counseling should be managed for possible treatment alternatives after RP.     

颈动脉狭窄与缺血性脑血管病临床诊治体会

目的探讨由颈动脉狭窄引发缺血性脑血管病患者临床正确诊断与治疗方法,为提高此类患者疗效提供可靠依据,保障患者生活质量与生命安全。方法对35例由颈动脉狭窄引发缺血性脑血管病患者临床资料进行回顾性分析,内容包括患者诊断方法、治疗方法、治疗效果等,对所得资料进行统计,得出结论。本文35例患者均采用氯吡格雷联合辛伐他汀药物保守治疗,若患者患有高血压、糖尿病等原发疾病,则应给予针对性的疾病控制措施。结果 35例颈动脉狭窄引发缺血性脑血管病患者均采用药物治疗(100.00%),且有效率高达100.00%,经随访6个月可知,仅8.57%患者发生再狭窄情况,临床治疗效果较为满意。结论临床医师应根据缺血性脑血管疾病患者实际情况及各项临床检查结果进行综合判断,从而确诊发病原因并制定正确治疗方案,提高患者治疗效果,保障其生活质量及生命安全。     

Building skill in heart failure self-care among community dwelling older adults: Results of a pilot study

Objective

Most of the day-to-day care for heart failure (HF) is done by the patient at home and requires skill in self-care. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT) we tested the efficacy of a community-based skill-building intervention on HF self-care, knowledge and health-related quality of life (HRQL) at 1- and 3-months.

Methods

An ethnically diverse sample (n = 75) of patients with HF (53% female; 32% Hispanic, 27% Black; mean age 69.9 ± 10 years) was randomized to the intervention group (IG) or a wait-list control group (CG). The protocol intervention focused on tactical and situational HF self-care skill development delivered by lay health educators in community senior centers. Data were analyzed using mixed (between–within subjects) ANOVA.

Results

There was a significant improvement in self-care maintenance [F(2, 47) = 3.42, p = .04, (Cohen's f = .38)], self-care management [F(2, 41) = 4.10, p = .02, (Cohen's f = .45) and HF knowledge [F(2, 53) = 8.00, p = .001 (Cohen's f = .54)] in the IG compared to the CG.

Conclusions

The skill-building intervention improved self-care and knowledge but not HRQL in this community-dwelling sample.

Practice implications

Delivering an intervention in a community setting using lay health educators provides an alternative to clinic- or home-based teaching that may be useful across diverse populations and geographically varied settings.     

Diagnosis and classification of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (aka Wegener's granulomatosis)

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, formerly known as Wegener's Granulomatosis) is an autoimmune small vessel vasculitis which is highly associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). The hallmarks of this condition are systemic necrotising vasculitis, necrotising granulomatous inflammation, and necrotising glomerulonephritis. The aetiology of granulomatosis with polyangiitis is linked to environmental and infectious triggers inciting onset of disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies are pathogenic and play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease, although ANCA positivity is not essential for a clinical diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is diagnosed based on clinical manifestations of systemic vasculitis and histological evidence of necrotising vasculitis or granulomatous inflammation. This small vessel vasculitis may present as limited disease of the ears, nose and upper airways or mild, moderate or severe systemic disease. Immunosuppression and adjuvant therapies have contributed to the improved prognosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis over the past decades. Treatment strategies are tailored to the severity of the disease. They are based on published evidence of the efficacy and safety of the immunosuppressive drugs indicated to manage active vasculitis and maintain clinical remission. This review will summarise the history, aetiology, pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis and management of granulomatosis with polyangiitis.     

不典型结核性脑膜炎临床诊断和治疗体会

目的：总结不典型结核性脑膜炎的临床诊断与治疗体会。方法回顾分析2011年8月~2013年8月我院收治的71例不典型结核性脑膜炎患者的诊断依据、临床特点与治疗方案。结果不典型结核性脑膜炎主要分为两种类型,即脑脊液的改变无典型性、患者临床表现与脑脊液无典型性;经过治疗,68例患者病情明显好转,存活率为95.77%,死亡率为4.23%。结论临床中对于不典型结核性脑膜炎应当高度警惕、及早诊断、正确治疗,以进一步提高临床治愈率,提高患者生命质量。     

三氧化二砷联合化疗治疗多发性骨髓瘤30例的临床观察

目的探讨三氧化二砷联合化疗治疗多发性骨髓瘤（MM）的疗效。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2013年6月本院血液科收治的MM患者30例的临床资料,所有患者采用三氧化二砷与联合化疗交替进行治疗,每次化疗间隔21d。以三氧化二砷和VAD方案或COMP方案联合化疗交替治疗完成为1个治疗周期,所有患者治疗4～6个周期,治疗期及间隔期均服用沙利度胺。所有患者治疗前及治疗后检测血清M蛋白、肌酐、β2微球蛋白和血红蛋白水平,并进行骨髓细胞学检查。治疗结束后评价其疗效和不良反应。结果治疗结束后30例患者疗效评价显示,严格的完全缓解1例、完全缓解5例、很好的部分缓解8例、部分缓解10例、病情稳定3例、病情进展3例（其中1例患者死亡）,总有效率为80．0％（24／30）。与治疗前比较,患者治疗后骨髓浆细胞比例、血清M蛋白、肌酐、β2微球蛋白水平下降,血红蛋白水平升高（均P〈0．05）。应用三氧化二砷治疗时,患者不良反应轻微,对症治疗后均好转。结论三氧化二砷联合化疗治疗IN的疗效和安全性较好。     

Evidence-Based,Pharmacological Treatment Guideline for Depression in Korea,Revised Edition

This paper aims to introduce, summarize, and emphasize the importance of the ''Evidence-Based, Pharmacological Treatment Guideline for Depression in Korea, Revised Edition''. The guideline broadly covers most aspects of the pharmacological treatment of patients in Korea diagnosed with moderate to severe major depression according to the DSM-IV TR. The guideline establishment process involved determining and answering a number of key questions, searching and selecting publications, evaluating recommendations, preparing guideline drafts, undergoing external expert reviews, and obtaining approval. A guideline adaptation process was conducted for the revised edition. The guideline strongly recommends pharmacological treatment considered appropriate to the current clinical situation in Korea, and should be considered helpful when selecting the appropriate pharmacological treatment of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Therefore, the wide distribution of this guideline is recommended.     

锁骨下动脉闭塞或重度狭窄血管内治疗疗效及安全性分析

目的研究症状性锁骨下动脉闭塞或重度狭窄血管内治疗的疗效和安全性。方法选择31例症状性锁骨下动脉闭塞或重度狭窄的患者行血管内自膨式支架成形术,分析其疗效及安全性。结果31例症状性锁骨下动脉闭塞或重度狭窄患者中,均用自膨式支架成功完成血管内支架成形术,术后锁骨下动脉狭窄率明显改善、锁骨下动脉盗血综合征和上肢缺血症状明显改善,无并发症出现。结论采用自膨式支架治疗症状性锁骨下动脉闭塞或重度狭窄是一种微创、安全、有效的治疗方法。