Electronic clinical records in primary care for estimating disease burden and management. An example of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant health problem in developed countries. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of COPD in a single Spanish healthcare area. We also aimed to assess if there are any differences in prevalence and spirometry use among primary care services by utilizing already registered information. We designed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of COPD and the performance of spirometries in each primary care service. A total of 8,444 patients were diagnosed with COPD, with a prevalence of 2.6% for individuals older than 39 years. The prevalence increased with age and was much higher in men. Significant heterogeneity was found in the prevalence of COPD and spirometry use among primary care services. COPD was underdiagnosed and there was wide variability in spirometry use in our area. Greater efforts are needed to diagnose COPD in order to improve its clinical outcomes and to refine registries so that they can be used as reliable sources of information     

LEEP刀与微波治疗慢性宫颈炎患者的临床效果对比

目的 对比LEEP刀与微波治疗慢性宫颈炎的临床效果.方法 随机选取2013年10月—2015年4月期间,到该院就诊的70例慢性宫颈炎患者为研究对象,在取得患者同意的前提下,随机将患者均分为对照组(采用微波治疗)和观察组(采用LEEP刀治疗),两组患者的人数均为35例,观察并比较两组患者的手术情况、治疗效果等指标. 结果 ①观察组患者的手术时间、阴道流液时间、术中出血量均优于对照组,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);②观察组患者的治疗总有效率为97.14%(34/35),对照组为82.86%(29/35),两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 在慢性宫颈炎的治疗中,与传统微波治疗相比,LEEP刀治疗的效果更佳,值得临床推广.     

Photodynamic therapy to control microbial biofilms

Microorganisms thrive in well-organized biofilm ecosystems. Biofilm-associated cells typically show increased resistance to antibiotics and contribute significantly to treatment failure. This has prompted investigations aimed at developing advanced and novel antimicrobial approaches that could effectively overcome the shortcomings associated with conventional antibiotic therapy. Studies are ongoing to develop effective curative strategies ranging from the use of peptides, small molecules, nanoparticles to bacteriophages, sonic waves, and light energy targeting various structural and physiological aspects of biofilms. In photodynamic therapy, a light source of a specific wavelength is used to irradiate non-toxic photosensitizers such as tetrapyrroles, synthetic dyes or, naturally occurring compounds to generate reactive oxygen species that can exert a lethal effect on the microbe especially by disrupting the biofilm. The photosensitizer preferentially binds to and accumulates in the microbial cells without causing any damage to the host tissue. Currently, photodynamic therapy is increasingly being used for the treatment of oral caries and dental plaque, chronic wound infections, infected diabetic foot ulcers, cystic fibrosis, chronic sinusitis, implant device-associated infections, etc. This approach is recognized as safe, as it is non-toxic and minimally invasive, making it a reliable, realistic, and promising therapeutic strategy for reducing the microbial burden and biofilm formation in chronic infections. In this review article, we discuss the current and future potential strategies of utilizing photodynamic therapy to extend our ability to impede and eliminate biofilms in various medical conditions.     

Actualización de las recomendaciones de medidas de prevención y aislamiento frente al SARS-CoV-2 en las unidades de diálisis: un posicionamiento de la Sociedad Española de Nefrología

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has changed across the last 2 years. The development and approval of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the emergence of new variants has opened up a new scenario. On this regard, Spanish Society of Nephrology (S.E.N.) Council considers that an update of the previous recommendations should be performed. In the present statement, and taking into account the current epidemiological situation, are included updated recommendations of protection and isolation for patients on dialysis programs.     

The neurobiology of chronic pain states

Plasticity enables alterations in transmission in nociceptive systems. It is this plasticity in the nervous system that can alter the linear relation between noxious stimuli and the perception of pain and is important in the switch from acute to chronic pain. In this way, a number of CNS mechanisms can alter neuronal activity, leading to abnormal ongoing and stimulus-evoked pains due to peripheral and central changes. Peripheral nerves can become sensitized, spinal cord neurons can be rendered hyperexcitable and ascending projections to higher centres can further trigger changes in descending controls from the midbrain and brainstem. Together, these changes, all of which appear to involve reversible physiological and pharmacological plasticity, can alter the relationship between an applied stimulus and the perceived response and so lead to persistent pain states.     

慢性心力衰竭护理结局分类评价表的构建研究

目的本研究以护理结局分类(NOC)为基础,筛选符合慢性心力衰竭患者的相关护理结局,由此构建具有专科专病特点的慢性心力衰竭患者护理结局评价表。方法成立研究核心小组,应用文献回顾法、专家函询法确定护理结局分类指标,并进行统计学分析,最终建立慢性心力衰竭护理结局分类评价表。结果通过研究,确定慢性心力衰竭护理结局中包含4个领域、8个一级指标、68个二级指标。4个领域分别是生理健康、功能健康、健康知识和行为、心理社会健康。一级指标中包含心脏泵血功能、活动耐力、社会支持、抑郁水平等。二级指标中包含心脏指数、血压、呼吸困难、情绪波动大、步行距离、步行速度等68个指标。统计学分析中:第一、二轮函询专家的积极系数分别为90%、100%,专家权威系数为0.895,专家意见协调程度(P<0.05)。结论本研究成功建立慢性心力衰竭护理结局分类评价表,有助于临床护士用于评价护理措施的有效性,也使其成为一种标准化语言,便于应用到护理电子信息系统中进行绩效测算等。但是本研究不足之处是未能将该研究进行临床实证,未能进一步确认其有效性。