Type of headache at onset and risk for complications in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Background: In a recent Italian study, 30% of patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) presented without thunderclap headache (TCH), and tended to present more severe forms of RCVS than patients with TCH. We aimed to analyze the risk for complications of RCVS in patients with and without TCH at onset. Methods: In a pooled cohort of 345 French patients with RCVS, we compared patients with and without TCH at onset regarding rates of neurological complications, and the functional outcome at 3 months. Results: As compared to the 281 patients with TCH at onset, the 64 patients without TCH had a higher risk for any neurological complication (61% vs. 24%, OR 4.9, 95% CI 2.8-8.7, p < 0.001). The association was strongest for cervical artery dissections (28% vs. 5%, OR 8.1, 95% CI 3.7-17.6, p < 0.001), followed by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (17% vs. 3%, OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.7-18.4, p < 0.001), seizures (9% vs. 2.5%, OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.3-12.5, p = 0.019), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (41% vs. 16%, OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.9-6.3, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the risk for any neurological complication remained significantly elevated in the absence of TCH (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-6.8, p < 0.001). The functional outcome was equal in both groups, with a modified Rankin scale score of 0-1 in ≥90% of patients. Conclusions: Absence of TCH at onset might predict a higher risk of complications in RCVS. Our results warrant further multicentric studies to prove this finding

Long-term outcomes of CLIPPERS (chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids) in a consecutive series of 12 patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) is a central nervous system inflammatory disease. OBJECTIVE: To describe the disease course of CLIPPERS. DESIGN: A nationwide study was implemented to collect clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain biopsy specimen characteristics of patients with CLIPPERS. SETTING: Academic research. PATIENTS: Twelve patients with CLIPPERS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The therapeutic management of CLIPPERS was evaluated. RESULTS: Among 12 patients, 42 relapses were analyzed. Relapses lasted a mean duration of 2.5 months, manifested frequent cerebellar ataxia and diplopia, and were associated with a mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4. Besides typical findings of CLIPPERS, magnetic resonance imaging showed brainstem mass effect in 5 patients, extensive myelitis in 3 patients, and closed ring enhancement in 1 patient. Inconstant oligoclonal bands were found on cerebrospinal fluid investigation in 4 patients, with an increased T-cell ratio of CD4 to CD8. Among 7 available brain biopsy specimens, staining was positive for perivascular CD4 T lymphocytes in 5 samples. Thirty-eight of 42 relapses were treated with pulse corticosteroid therapy, which led to improvement, with a mean residual EDSS score of 1.9 (range, 0-7). In 1 patient with untreated relapses, scores on the EDSS progressively increased to a score of 10 at death. Among 5 patients without long-term corticosteroid therapy, the mean annualized relapse rate was 0.5 (range, 0.25-2.8). Among 7 patients taking oral corticosteroids, no relapses occurred in those whose daily dose was 20 mg or higher. No progressive course of CLIPPERS was observed. Four patients with a final EDSS score of 4 or higher had experienced previous severe relapses (EDSS score, ≥5) and brainstem and spinal cord atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: CLIPPERS is a relapsing-remitting disorder without progressive forms. Long-term disability is correlated with the severity of previous relapses. Further studies are needed to confirm that prolonged corticosteroid therapy prevents further relapses.journal article2012 Julimporte

Les parcours de soins des insuffisants cardiaques : de leur mesure à leur utilisation

Heart failure is a frequent and serious chronic pathology, whose evolution is peppered with decompensations that usually require hospitalization. Despite clear scientific recommendations (treatment of etiology and co-morbidities, early symptomatic treatment of decompensations, specific treatment for cases with decreased ejection fraction), the organization of the health system does not promote optimal delivery of recommended care. The literature reports that the delivery of care, as well as the content of delivered care, vary widely from one environment to another, with an impact on the risk of rehospitalization. Therefore, improving the quality of care needs to describe the delivery modalities and the content of care, that is to say, the care pathway. The methods of describing these pathways are rare and non-consensual. The aim of this thesis is to propose methods for describing care pathways, with the aim of offering support for clinical and public health decision-making. Two studies are carried out on two very different bases: an ambulatory and hospital medico-administrative database on a regional scale, and a monocentric clinical hospital database. These two studies highlight, using a hierarchical ascending classification on principal components, easily interpretable groups of patients. In particular, they each show two groups whose clinical characteristics are similar, but whose management is very different; a low level of care is associated with an poor prognosis. The methodology used in these studies is discussed in light of the literature, and the opportunities offered by the findings in terms of research, clinical practice, and public health are explored.L’insuffisance cardiaque est une pathologie chronique fréquente et grave, dont l’évolution est émaillée de décompensations qui nécessitent généralement une hospitalisation. Malgré des recommandations scientifiques claires (traitement de l’étiologie et des comorbidités, traitement symptomatique précoce des décompensations, traitement de fond pour les cas à fraction d’éjection diminuée), l’organisation du système de santé ne favorise pas la délivrance optimale des soins recommandés. On constate en effet dans la littérature que la délivrance des soins, ainsi que le contenu des soins délivrés, sont très variables d’un environnement à l’autre, avec un impact sur le risque de réhospitalisation. L’amélioration de la qualité des soins nécessite donc de pouvoir décrire les modalités de délivrance et le contenu des soins, c’est-à-dire le parcours de soins. Les méthodes de description de ces parcours sont rares et non consensuelles. L’objectif de cette thèse est de proposer des méthodes de description des parcours de soins, dans l’ambition de proposer des aides à la prise de décision en clinique et en santé publique. Deux études sont réalisées sur deux bases très différentes : une base de données médico-administrative ambulatoire et hospitalière à l’échelle d’une région, et une base de données clinique hospitalière monocentrique. Ces deux études mettent en évidence, à l’aide d’une classification ascendante hiérarchique sur composantes principales, des groupes de patients aisément interprétables. En particulier, elles montrent chacune deux groupes dont les caractéristiques cliniques sont proches, mais dont la prise en charge est très différente ; une prise en charge peu intense est associée à une évolution défavorable. La méthodologie utilisée dans ces études est discutée à la lumière de la littérature, et les opportunités offertes par les résultats en termes de recherche, de pratique clinique, et de santé publique, sont explorées

Care pathways of heart failure patients : measure and improvement

L’insuffisance cardiaque est une pathologie chronique fréquente et grave, dont l’évolution est émaillée de décompensations qui nécessitent généralement une hospitalisation. Malgré des recommandations scientifiques claires (traitement de l’étiologie et des comorbidités, traitement symptomatique précoce des décompensations, traitement de fond pour les cas à fraction d’éjection diminuée), l’organisation du système de santé ne favorise pas la délivrance optimale des soins recommandés. On constate en effet dans la littérature que la délivrance des soins, ainsi que le contenu des soins délivrés, sont très variables d’un environnement à l’autre, avec un impact sur le risque de réhospitalisation. L’amélioration de la qualité des soins nécessite donc de pouvoir décrire les modalités de délivrance et le contenu des soins, c’est-à-dire le parcours de soins. Les méthodes de description de ces parcours sont rares et non consensuelles. L’objectif de cette thèse est de proposer des méthodes de description des parcours de soins, dans l’ambition de proposer des aides à la prise de décision en clinique et en santé publique. Deux études sont réalisées sur deux bases très différentes : une base de données médico-administrative ambulatoire et hospitalière à l’échelle d’une région, et une base de données clinique hospitalière monocentrique. Ces deux études mettent en évidence, à l’aide d’une classification ascendante hiérarchique sur composantes principales, des groupes de patients aisément interprétables. En particulier, elles montrent chacune deux groupes dont les caractéristiques cliniques sont proches, mais dont la prise en charge est très différente ; une prise en charge peu intense est associée à une évolution défavorable. La méthodologie utilisée dans ces études est discutée à la lumière de la littérature, et les opportunités offertes par les résultats en termes de recherche, de pratique clinique, et de santé publique, sont explorées.Heart failure is a frequent and serious chronic pathology, whose evolution is peppered with decompensations that usually require hospitalization. Despite clear scientific recommendations (treatment of etiology and co-morbidities, early symptomatic treatment of decompensations, specific treatment for cases with decreased ejection fraction), the organization of the health system does not promote optimal delivery of recommended care. The literature reports that the delivery of care, as well as the content of delivered care, vary widely from one environment to another, with an impact on the risk of rehospitalization. Therefore, improving the quality of care needs to describe the delivery modalities and the content of care, that is to say, the care pathway. The methods of describing these pathways are rare and non-consensual. The aim of this thesis is to propose methods for describing care pathways, with the aim of offering support for clinical and public health decision-making. Two studies are carried out on two very different bases: an ambulatory and hospital medico-administrative database on a regional scale, and a monocentric clinical hospital database. These two studies highlight, using a hierarchical ascending classification on principal components, easily interpretable groups of patients. In particular, they each show two groups whose clinical characteristics are similar, but whose management is very different; a low level of care is associated with an poor prognosis. The methodology used in these studies is discussed in light of the literature, and the opportunities offered by the findings in terms of research, clinical practice, and public health are explored

By half decrease of cardiovascular mortality in a Western country between 2000 and 2015: A contrasted picture advocating for a better management of comorbidities

International audienc

Total Burden of Events : A New Standard Stressing the Positive Impact of Inflammation Modulation

International audienc

Are modern knee outcomes scores appropriate for evaluating patellofemoral degeneration in osteoarthritis? Evaluation of the ceiling and floor effects in knee outcomes scores

International audiencePatellofemoral (PF) degeneration plays an important role in knee function in the context of osteoarthritis. A specific evaluation of PF symptoms is needed to better understand the initial functional status of the knee before surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) for knee scores and PF scores in knee osteoarthritis

Identification of appropriate and potentially avoidable emergency department referrals in a tertiary cancer care center

International audiencePURPOSE:Referrals to the Emergency Department can be distressing to patients with advanced cancer and may be a non-optimizing health care service. We aimed to describe the appropriateness and potential avoidability of Emergency Department referrals in a tertiary cancer care center where only physician referrals are allowed.METHODS:We prospectively reviewed the electronic medical charts of patients consecutively checked into the Emergency Department in August 2015. The appropriateness of referrals was assessed using a nationally validated classification (Classification Clinique des Malades aux Urgences) and local criteria. Potentially avoidable referrals were assessed using international classifications (Institute for Healthcare Improvement State Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations diagnostic tool according to Kosecoff's criteria) and local criteria.RESULTS:We included 500 referrals related to 423 patients. The mean age was 59 years, and 74% of cancers were progressive. The referrals were appropriate in 61% of cases. They were deemed potentially avoidable "with a high likelihood" in 33.4% (CI95% [29.3-37.5]) of cases, potentially avoidable "with a moderate likelihood" in 14.4% (CI95% [11.3-17.5]) of cases, and "non-avoidable" in 52% (CI95% [47.6-56.4]) of cases. Opportunities to avoid referrals after an index stay involved this hospital stay or discharge process in 66 cases (28%), the follow-up period in 59 cases (25%), or both in 66 cases (28%).CONCLUSIONS:Potentially avoidable ED referrals are common in patients with cancer. These potentially avoidable ED referrals underline the importance of several domains of care coordination.Comment inResponse to "Identification of appropriate and potentially avoidable emergency department referrals in a tertiary cancer care center" by Duflos et al. [Support Care Cancer. 2018]Response to the response by Lahbib et al. to "Identification of appropriate and potentially avoidable emergency department referrals in a tertiary cancer care center" by Duflos et al. [Support Care Cancer. 2018

Intra‐aortic balloon pump: is the technique really outdated?

International audienceAims: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) utilization was expected to be quickly abandoned following the IABP-shock trial and its class III, level B recommendation in the 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of IABP compared with other mechanical support devices in a nationwide approach.Methods and results:We conducted a retrospective study based on the French national hospital discharge database. All patients undergoing assist device implantation by IABP, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or IMPELLA® from 2014 to 2018 (2 years before/2 years after the 2016 guidelines) were included. The primary endpoint was the incidence of IABP implantation over the years. Secondary endpoints were incidence of total assist device, ECMO, and IMPELLA® implantations. From 2014 to 2018, a total of 18 940 patients benefited from mechanical support by IABP (n = 6657, 35.2%), ECMO (n = 11 881, 62.7%), or IMPELLA® (n = 402, 2.1%) in France. The incidence of total mechanical support implantations (ECMO and IABP) was constant over the years. IABP implantations decreased progressively from 1725 implantations in 2014 to 996 in 2018 (−42%). By contrast, ECMO implantations increased progressively from 1919 implantations in 2014 to 2763 implantations in 2018 (+44%). IMPELLA® implantations remained stable over the years from 63 (1.7%) implantations in 2014 to 83 (2.1%) in 2018.Conclusions: In this nationwide real‐life study, despite a significant decline in IABP implantations over the years since the ESC guidelines, this device remained used in clinical practice with around 1000 implantations in 2018. The size of centres was not strictly correlated with this use, suggesting differential uses depending on the local background

Hospitalization for acute heart failure: the in-hospital care pathway predicts one-year readmission

International audienceIn patients with heart failure, some organizational and modifiable factors could be prognostic factors. We aimed to assess the association between the in-hospital care pathways during hospitalization for acute heart failure and the risk of readmission. This retrospective study included all elderly patients who were hospitalized for acute heart failure at the Universitary Hospital Lariboisière (Paris) during 2013. We collected the wards attended, length of stay, admission and discharge types, diagnostic procedures, and heart failure discharge treatment. The clinical factors were the specific medical conditions, left ventricular ejection fraction, type of heart failure syndrome, sex, smoking status, and age. Consistent groups of in-hospital care pathways were built using an ascending hierarchical clustering method based on a primary components analysis. The association between the groups and the risk of readmission at 1 month and 1 year (for heart failure or for any cause) were measured via a count data model that was adjusted for clinical factors. This study included 223 patients. Associations between the in-hospital care pathway and the 1 year-readmission status were studied in 207 patients. Five consistent groups were defined: 3 described expected in-hospital care pathways in intensive care units, cardiology and gerontology wards, 1 described deceased patients, and 1 described chaotic pathways. The chaotic pathway strongly increased the risk (p = 0.0054) of 1 year readmission for acute heart failure. The chaotic in-hospital care pathway, occurring in specialized wards, was associated with the risk of readmission. This could promote specific quality improvement actions in these wards. Follow-up research projects should aim to describe the processes causing the generation of chaotic pathways and their consequences