Patient acceptable symptom state and minimal clinically important difference for patient-reported outcomes in systemic sclerosis: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing personalized physical therapy to usual care

Background

To estimate patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for patient-reported outcomes in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

机械性窒息死亡他杀案件的法医学分析

目的分析机械性窒息死亡他杀案件的现场及尸检特点,为此类案件的法医学检验鉴定及案件侦破提供参考。方法采用分类描述性研究方法,对东莞市2009-2012年的152例机械性窒息死亡的他杀案件进行回顾性分析。结果机械性窒息死亡他杀案件的发生具有一定时间性、区域性。闹市区室内为高发场所,女性及儿童为高危人群。加害方式以徒手、扼颈为主。不同窒息征象间的检出率差异有统计学意义。被害人指甲拭子提取到案犯DNA成分几率高(21.05%)。结论机械性窒息致死的他杀案件具有区域性,高发人群较固定。窒息征象的检出对于窒息的死因认定具有法医学意义,被害人指甲拭子应作为DNA的重点检验部位。     

Diagnostic value of symptoms of oesophagogastric cancers in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Selection of primary care patients for investigation of potential oesophagogastric cancer is difficult, as the symptoms may represent benign conditions, which are also more common.

Aim

To review systematically the presenting features of oesophagogastric cancers in primary care, including open-access endoscopy clinics.

Design and setting

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method

MEDLINE^®, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for studies of adults who were symptomatic and presented in primary care or open-access endoscopy clinics. Exclusions were being asymptomatic, screening, or recurrent cancers. Data were extracted to estimate the diagnostic performance of features of oesophagogastric cancers and summarised in a meta-analysis.

Results

Fourteen studies were identified. The strongest summary sensitivity and specificity estimates were for: dyspepsia 0.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29 to 0.56) and 0.48 (95% CI = 0.31 to 0.65); pain 0.41 (95% CI = 0.24 to 0.62) and 0.75 (95% CI = 0.51 to 0.89); and dysphagia 0.32 (95% CI = 0.17 to 0.52) and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.81 to 0.97). Summary positive likelihood ratios (LR+) and diagnostic odds ratios were: dyspepsia 0.79 (95% CI = 0.55 to 1.15) and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.32 to 1.33); pain 1.64 (95% CI = 1.20 to 2.24) and 2.09 (95% CI = 1.57 to 2.77); and dysphagia 4.32 (95% CI = 2.46 to 7.58) and 5.91 (95% CI = 3.56 to 9.82). Corresponding LR+ were: anaemia 4.32 (95% CI = 2.64 to 7.08); nausea/vomiting/bloating 1.07 (95% CI = 0.52 to 2.19); reflux 0.78 (95% CI = 0.47 to 1.78) and; weight loss 5.46 (95% CI = 3.47 to 8.60).

Conclusion

Dysphagia, weight loss, and anaemia show the strongest association but with relatively low sensitivity and high specificity. The findings support the value of investigation of these symptoms, but also suggest that, in a population of patients who are low risk but not no-risk, investigation is not currently recommended.     

Exploring preferences for symptom management in primary care: a discrete choice experiment using a questionnaire survey

BackgroundSymptoms are important drivers for the use of primary care services. Strategies aimed at shifting the focus away from the GP have broadened the range of primary healthcare available.AimTo explore preferences for managing symptoms and investigate trade-offs that the public are willing to make when deciding between different primary care services.MethodA discrete choice experiment examined management preferences for three symptoms of differing seriousness (diarrhoea, dizziness, and chest pain). Willingness-to-pay estimates compared preferences between symptoms, and by sex, age, and income.ResultsPreferences differed significantly between symptoms. ‘Self-care’ was the preferred action for diarrhoea and ‘consulting a GP’ for dizziness and chest pain. ‘Waiting time’ and ‘chance of a satisfactory outcome’ were important factors for all three symptoms, although their relative importance differed. Broadly, people were more prepared to wait longer and less prepared to trade a good chance of a satisfactory outcome for symptoms rated as more serious. Generally, preferences within subgroups followed similar patterns as for the whole sample, although there were differences in the relative strength of preferences.ConclusionDespite increased choices in primary care, ‘traditional’ actions of ‘self-care’ for minor symptoms and ‘GP consultation’ for more serious symptoms were preferred. The present findings suggest, however, that people may be willing to trade between different health services, particularly for less serious symptoms. Understanding the relative importance of different factors may help inform interventions aimed at changing management behaviour or improving services.     

结直肠癌患者诊断期高频症状的研究

目的 描述结直肠癌患者诊断期相关症状发生率、严重程度、困扰程度特点,提示该类患者症状的发生率、严重度及困扰度各方面出现的高频症状,为制定针对性护理措施提供依据。方法 采用自制的结直肠癌患者症状调查问卷对110例结直肠癌诊断期患者进行调查。结果 结直肠癌诊断期患者症状发生率前5位的症状是为便血（61例,占55.5%）、消瘦（47例,占42.7%）、疲乏（47例,占42.7%）、排便不尽感（44例,占40%）、大便变细（43例,占39.1%）。症状严重程度居前的是便秘、悲伤、大便变细、焦虑、大便不成形;症状的困扰程度排序居前的是便血、消瘦、纳差、疲乏、睡眠不安、便秘、悲伤、大便变细、焦虑、失眠、大便不成形(中位数均为3.00)。结论 结直肠癌患者诊断期在发生率、严重度、困扰度各方面存在不同的高频症状,因此护理人员要根据此做好评估并制定护理计划对症状进行管理。     

预先离断尿道黏膜的整块剜除法在中小体积前列腺剜除术中的应用

目的:探讨预先离断尿道黏膜的整块剜除法在中小体积前列腺增生患者经尿道钬激光前列腺剜除术(HoLEP)中的疗效及安全性。方法:回顾性分析2016年7月至2018年7月应用钬激光预先分离前列腺尖部尿道黏膜的整块剜除法进行HoLEP手术的中小体积前列腺增生症50例患者的资料,评估该手术方法的适用范围、优点、疗效及并发症情况。结果:50例手术均成功,手术时间(36.5±12.2)min,切除腺体质量(29±13.2)g。术后第1天血红蛋白为(119±15.2)g/L,术后4周前列腺症状评分(9.4±3.6)分、最大尿流率(22.5±2.3)mL/s、剩余尿量(23.4±9.2)mL、生活质量评分(2.4±1.4)分,均较术前明显改善(P0.05)。术后4例(8.0%)主诉出现尿频、尿急症状,3例(6.0%)出现短暂压力性尿失禁。结论:预先离断尿道黏膜的钬激光整块剜除法手术解剖标志明晰、操作简便、疗效肯定,能有效避免尿道黏膜撕脱损伤和杠杆拉伤,尿失禁并发症发生率较低,对治疗中小体积前列腺增生简单、实用。     

Management Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with diverse pathophysiologic mechanisms. These mechanisms include increased abnormal colonic motility or transit, intestinal or colorectal sensation, increased colonic bile acid concentration, and superficial colonic mucosal inflammation, as well as epithelial barrier dysfunction, neurohormonal up-regulation, and activation of secretory processes in the epithelial layer. Novel approaches to treatment include lifestyle modification, changes in diet, probiotics, and pharmacotherapy directed to the motility, sensation, and intraluminal milieu of patients with IBS. Despite recent advances, there is a need for development of new treatments to relieve pain in IBS without deleterious central or other adverse effects.