Symptom-based approach to colorectal cancer: survey of primary care physicians in Italy

Background. Colorectal cancer is a frequent cause of mortality in Western countries, including Italy, where a definite screening policy has not yet been adopted. It is likely that most patients with colorectal cancer refer, first of all, to their primary care physician at onset of symptoms.

Aim. To perform a survey on the approach, of primary care physicians, to patients with symptoms suggesting the presence of colorectal cancer.

Methods. A total of 280 consecutive symptomatic patients without previous diagnosis of organic colon disease or recent colon investigation in whom, after consulting, 159 primary care physicians in Lazio (Italy) prescribed colonoscopy or double-contrast barium enema.

Results. Most frequent presenting symptoms were lower abdominal pain (79.6%), bloating (59.6%), constipation (47.8%), diarrhoea (30.3%), iron deficiency anaemia (24.6%), change in bowel habits (20.3%) and weight loss (15%). Colonoscopy and barium enema were equally advised by physicians to rule out the presence of cancer (56% versus 44%, P=ns). Cancer was found in 14.6% of patients. Age >50 years and iron deficiency anaemia were the only independent variables associated with colorectal cancer (Odds ratios 9.0 and 8.8 at multivariate analysis, respectively).

Conclusion. The symptom-based selection criteria used by primary care physicians have been shown to be scarcely effective. Colonic investigation should be requested, irrespective to the symptoms, in patients aged >50 years with iron deficiency anaemia.     

The surgical treatment of cerebrospinal fistula: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of indications and results

Cerebrospinal fistula might occur in different ways. CSF closure techniques have undergone significant evolution that has led to the consolidation of the transnasal endoscopic approach. Despite the existence of multiple publications, meaningful information is still lacking in clinical practice and the literature about the ideal method, material, and timing for repair of CSF. The purpose of this review was to summarize the success rate of endoscopic CSF leak repair as well as whether specific techniques or materials influence the primary success rate through a review of the latest advancements in endoscopic CSF management published in the past 10 years. The principles of multilayer reconstructions and the routine use of vascularized flaps in expanded endonasal surgery have reduced postoperative CSF leaks' failure rates between 5% and 10% (4% in this meta‐analysis). Effective endoscopic anterior skull base (ASB) closure may be achieved by multiple reconstructive techniques, which should be tailored case by case according to the patient and defect conditions.     

Outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in adult lung transplant patients with cystic fibrosis

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasian population. Due to its pathological mechanism, chronic rhino sinusitis...     

Utility of impedance cardiography to improve physician estimation of hemodynamic parameters in the emergency department

Emergency physicians must often make assessments of complex hemodynamic parameters. To assess the utility of impedance cardiography (ICG) in the emergency department, the authors examined treating physicians' abilities to assess stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) by comparing the clinicians' estimates of these values to ICG measurements. Treating physicians were asked to estimate the SV, CO, and SVR of acutely ill patients as being low, normal, or high. ICG measurements of SV, CO, and SVR were also categorized as low, normal, or high. Physician estimates were compared with ICG measures for concordance. Changes of therapy initiated as a result of discordance between physician's estimates and ICG measurements were recorded. The treating physician assessments and ICG hemodynamic measurements were concordant in 62 of 101 (62%) cases for SV (kappa=0.068), in 53 of 101 (53%) cases for CO (p=0.125), and in 50 of 101 (50%) measurements for SVR (p=0.148). The low concordance suggests that treating physicians did not consistently estimate SV, CO, and SVR accurately. ICG provides noninvasive hemodynamic measurements of SV, CO, and SVR that offer clinical utility and potential value in the emergency department.     

Prior altitude experience of climbers attempting to summit Aconcagua

Aconcagua (6962 m) is one of the seven summits and the highest mountain outside of Asia. Climbers of varying experience are drawn to its nontechnical route. Our objective was to detail the prior altitude experience of climbers attempting to summit Aconcagua. We asked all climbers on the normal route of Aconcagua to complete questionnaires with demographics and prior high altitude experience while acclimatizing at Plaza de Mulas base camp during 9 nonconsecutive days in January 2009. 127 volunteers from 22 countries were enrolled. Mean age was 39.8 years and 88.2% were male. Median altitude at place of residence was 200 m (IQR: 30, 700). Median previous maximum altitude reached was 5895 m (IQR: 5365, 6150). 7.1% of climbers had never been above 4000 m. Median previous maximum sleeping altitude was 4800 m (IQR: 4300, 5486). 12.6% of climbers had never slept above 4000 m. Climbers who performed acclimatization treks spent a mean of 3.6 (2.5, 4.7) days at>3000 m in the previous 2 months. However, 50.4% of climbers performed no acclimatization treks. Although the majority of mountaineers who attempt Aconcagua have prior high altitude experience, a substantial minority has never been above 4000 m.     

Position Statement on the management of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII): The Italian Lazio experience

This document has been developed by a group of Italian diabetologists with extensive experience in continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy to provide indications for the clinical management of CSII in diabetic patients (both type 1 and type 2) based on delivery mode operating in Italy. Although the potential benefits of pump therapy in achieving glycemic goals is now accepted, such results cannot be obtained without specific knowledge and skills being conveyed to patients during ad hoc educational training. To ensure that these new technologies reach their full effectiveness, as demonstrated theoretically and clinically, a careful assessment of the overall therapeutic and educational process is required, in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Therefore, to ensure the cost‐effectiveness of insulin pump therapy and to justify reimbursement of therapy costs by the National Health System in Italy, in this article we present a model for diabetes and healthcare centers to follow that provides for different levels of expertise in the field of CSII therapy. This model will guarantee the provision of excellent care during insulin pump therapies, thus representing the basis for a successful outcome and expansion of this form of insulin treatment in patients with diabetes while also keeping costs under control.     

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in inpatient setting: unmet needs and the proposal of a CSII unit

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) represents an increasingly popular method of treating diabetes. Patients with diabetes are often hospitalized, and current data indicate that inpatient hyperglycemia results in poorer outcomes. When patients on insulin pump therapy require hospitalization, practitioners caring for them face the issue of how to manage the inpatient care of these patients. We believe that patients using insulin pumps can safely have their therapy transitioned when hospitalized. Moreover, CSII during hospitalization should be regarded not only as a fundamental tool in patients already on insulin pump therapy, but also as an effective method to obtain euglycemia, in critically ill patients. However, a standard policy on CSII use during hospitalization is still lacking, and literature data are inconclusive about the benefits of insulin pump on glycemic homeostasis, in hospitalized patients. We suggest that a CSII unit should be activated inside the hospital, in order to increase compliance with required procedures and to properly address the unmet needs of CSII in inpatient setting.     

Temporal trend of HIV infection: an update of the HIV surveillance system in Lazio, Italy, 1985-2000

BACKGROUND: After the introduction of the highly active antiretroviral therapies, data from AIDS surveillance systems are less useful to describe the HIV epidemic, while HIV surveillance could give more detailed information to provide data for HIV prevention and care programmes. We report the results of the HIV surveillance system update in Lazio, Italy, from 1985 through 2000. METHODS: New diagnoses of HIV infection were identified through a linkage procedure on the total reports, and underreporting was estimated through a link between the HIV surveillance system and the Hospital Information System of Lazio. RESULTS: As of December 2000, 20,912 new diagnoses of HIV occurred in Lazio. New diagnoses have decreased steadily since 1992. The male/female ratio decreased during the study period, while the number of foreign-born cases increased. Sexual transmission became the main modality of exposure for men in 1996 and for women in 1992. In 2000 the proportion of men infected by sexual transmission reached 54.0% versus 15.2% of those infected by intravenous drug use, whereas the proportion of women was 58.9% and 8.6% respectively. The sensitivity of the system has slightly decreased. CONCLUSION: HIV infection is increasing in women and immigrants; people are being infected more frequently by sexual transmission than intravenous drug use.     

Reproducibility of impedance cardiography hemodynamic measures in clinically stable heart failure patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS. One of the greatest challenges confronting physicians who are managing the care of patients with heart failure is to acquire objective data that signals treatment effectiveness and/or disease progression. The aim of this study was twofold: 1) to determine the extent to which (real time) impedance cardiography measurements obtained with a specific medical device (the BioZ) were reproducible in outpatients with clinically stable heart failure; and 2) to establish "normal" ranges of one week hemodynamic variability in this population of patients. Information of this nature would help clinical cardiologists and primary care practitioners to evaluate the implications of their patient's visit-to-visit hemodynamic variability. METHODS. A one group, prospective, time series design was used. The sample consisted of 62 patients who had clinically stable heart failure and who were being treated in an outpatient heart failure clinic at a university medical center. BioZ hemodynamic measures of cardiac output, contractility, and after load were obtained at five points in time: two, 10, and 60 minutes resting following a 40-50 foot walk on the first day and at two and 10 minutes resting following a 40-50 foot walk on the second day, one week later. RESULTS. Small but significant changes in cardiac output and cardiac index (mainly due to changes in heart rate) were seen during the 60-minute period on week one. Stroke index did not change during this period. In general, reproducibility between measurements taken on the same day and between days was quite good. Establishment of 95% confidence intervals helped define boundaries of variability in this population. Further clinical evaluation of the four patients whose values exceeded the 95% confidence intervals revealed unexpected, potentially relevant changes that could have accounted for their interday variability. Conclusion. The BioZ impedance cardiography measurements are responsive to hemodynamic activity-rest changes and are reproducible at a one week interval in clinically stable heart failure patients being treated in an outpatient clinic. Stroke index is a better measure of patient status than cardiac output or cardiac index. (c)2000 by CHF, Inc.