The Impact of a Standardized Pre-visit Laboratory Testing Panel in the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic: a Controlled “On-Off” Trial

Background: In several settings, a shorter time to diagnosis has been shown to lead to improved clinical outcomes. The implementation of a rapid laboratory testing allows for a pre-visit testing in the outpatient clinic, meaning that test results are available during the first outpatient visit. Objective: To determine whether the pre-visit laboratory testing leads to a shorter time to diagnosis in the general internal medicine outpatient clinic. Design: An “on-off” trial, allocating subjects to one of two treatment arms in consecutive alternating blocks. Participants: All new referrals to the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital were included, excluding second opinions. A total of 595 patients were eligible; one person declined to participate, leaving data from 594 patients for analysis. Intervention: In the intervention group, patients had a standardized pre-visit laboratory testing before the first visit. Main Measures: The primary outcome was the time to diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were the correctness of the preliminary diagnosis on the first day, health care utilization, and patient and physician satisfaction. Key Results: There was no difference in time to diagnosis between the two groups (median 35 days vs 35 days; hazard ratio 1.03 [0.87–1.22]; p =.71). The pre-visit testing group had higher proportions of both correct preliminary diagnoses on day 1 (24% vs 14%; p =.003) and diagnostic workups being completed on day 1 (10% vs 3%; p <.001). The intervention group had more laboratory tests done (50.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 39.0–69.0] vs 43.0 [IQR 31.0–68.5]; p <.001). Otherwise, there were no differences between the groups. Conclusions: Pre-visit testing did not lead to a shorter overall time to diagnosis. However, a greater proportion of patients had a correct diagnosis on the first day. Further studies should focus on customizing pre-visit laboratory panels, to improve their efficacy. Trial Registration: NL500

Multifactorial approach and superior treatment efficacy in renal patients with the aid of nurse practitioners. Design of The MASTERPLAN Study [ISRCTN73187232]

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a greatly increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Recently developed guidelines address multiple risk factors and life-style interventions. However, in current practice few patients reach their targets. A multifactorial approach with the aid of nurse practitioners was effective in achieving treatment goals and reducing vascular events in patients with diabetes mellitus and in patients with heart failure. We propose that this also holds for the CKD population. DESIGN: MASTERPLAN is a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate whether a multifactorial approach with the aid of nurse-practicioners reduces cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. Approximately 800 patients with a creatinine clearance (estimated by Cockcroft-Gault) between 20 to 70 ml/min, will be included. To all patients the same set of guidelines will be applied and specific cardioprotective medication will be prescribed. In the intervention group the nurse practitioner will provide lifestyle advice and actively address treatment goals. Follow-up will be five years. Primary endpoint is the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular mortality. Secondary endpoints are cardiovascular morbidity, overall mortality, decline of renal function, change in markers of vascular damage and change in quality of life. Enrollment has started in April 2004 and the study is on track with 700 patients included on October 15th, 2005. This article describes the design of the MASTERPLAN study

Demographic, clinical and antibody characteristics of patients with digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: data from the DUO Registry

OBJECTIVES: The Digital Ulcers Outcome (DUO) Registry was designed to describe the clinical and antibody characteristics, disease course and outcomes of patients with digital ulcers associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: The DUO Registry is a European, prospective, multicentre, observational, registry of SSc patients with ongoing digital ulcer disease, irrespective of treatment regimen. Data collected included demographics, SSc duration, SSc subset, internal organ manifestations, autoantibodies, previous and ongoing interventions and complications related to digital ulcers. RESULTS: Up to 19 November 2010 a total of 2439 patients had enrolled into the registry. Most were classified as either limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc; 52.2%) or diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc; 36.9%). Digital ulcers developed earlier in patients with dcSSc compared with lcSSc. Almost all patients (95.7%) tested positive for antinuclear antibodies, 45.2% for anti-scleroderma-70 and 43.6% for anticentromere antibodies (ACA). The first digital ulcer in the anti-scleroderma-70-positive patient cohort occurred approximately 5 years earlier than the ACA-positive patient group. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides data from a large cohort of SSc patients with a history of digital ulcers. The early occurrence and high frequency of digital ulcer complications are especially seen in patients with dcSSc and/or anti-scleroderma-70 antibodies

Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in patients treated with lipid-modifying drugs in the Netherlands. Part of the dyslipidaemia international survey

BACKGROUND: Patients at risk for cardiovascular disease require medical treatment to optimise their lipid profile. Failure to reach optimal lipid levels contributes significantly to the residual cardiovascular risk in treated patients. In the DYSIS -Netherlands study, residual lipid profile abnormalities in patients on stable statin therapy in the Netherlands were assessed. METHODS: As part of a multinational cross-sectional cohort study conducted in Canada and Europe, 1212 patients were included in the Netherlands. Patients aged 45 years and older were included if they had taken statins for at least three months. Data on demographics, cardiovascular history and cardiovascular risk profile were recorded, and compared using European Society of Cardiology (ES C) risk classification. RESULTS: In 1139 patients, total lipid profile was measured. In this population ESC LDL-cholesterol normal levels were not achieved in 33.3% (n=379), whereas 71.7% (n=817) did not reach the three-normal level: for LDL cholesterol, plus they had low HDL cholesterol and/or elevated triglycerides. In the high-risk group (n=1036), LDL-cholesterol levels were not at goal in 33.3% (n=345). In the entire cohort, only 28.3% (n=322) of patients receiving statin therapy reached normal levels for all lipid parameters. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients receiving statin therapy fail to reach normal levels for lipid parameters. Although the final results of ongoing outcome trials using combinations of lipid-altering treatments should be awaited, optimisation of lipid management is still amenable to improvement in the Netherland

Agressie en onrust na overdosis baclofen

BACKGROUND: Baclofen is increasingly prescribed for alcohol dependency. Subsequently, the risk of self-intoxication with this medicinal product is increasing. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 23-year-old man with a history of alcohol dependence was admitted to our hospital after self-intoxication with 2700 mg baclofen and 330 mg mirtazapine. Respiratory insufficiency as a result of the baclofen intoxication required intubation and admission to the ICU. During the first day, despite the use of sedatives, the patient became intermittently agitated and aggressive. In the following days, he developed severe delirium, probably due to baclofen withdrawal. The reintroduction of baclofen quickly resolved these symptoms. CONCLUSION: In the case of baclofen, in practice it is difficult to differentiate between intoxication and withdrawal. To prevent potentially severe withdrawal symptoms, we recommend reintroduction of baclofen when the first signs of restlessness and agitation arise following intoxication

A quarter of admitted poisoned patients have a mild poisoning and require no treatment : An observational study

Background: Poisoned patients are frequently admitted following Emergency Department (ED) presentation, while the necessity of such admissions is hardly investigated. We determined the proportion and characteristics of poisoned patients who were admitted, but in retrospect had an uneventful admission. Methods: For this observational cohort study, all patients presented to the ED of a Dutch University Hospital with various poisonings during a 1.5-year period (January 2015–July 2016) were included. The uneventfulness of admissions, defined as patients with a low Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) who received no treatment, was determined in retrospect. Results: We included 417 patients who visited the ED for poisoning. 247 Patients were admitted: 30% to a general ward, 58% to a MCU, and 12% to the ICU. The poisoning severity scores of the admitted patients were none to mild in 38%, moderate to severe in 59%, and fatal in 2%. Upon admission, 60% of the patients received treatment. In retrospect, 77% of the admitted patients had a moderate, severe or fatal poisoning and/or required treatment. However, 23% of the admitted patients had a mild poisoning and required no treatment. This group involved younger patients (median age of 23 versus 42 years) and a higher proportion of patients reporting exposure to only one substance (65% versus 51%). Conclusions: The majority of poisoned patients presented to the ED was admitted, while in retrospect, a quarter of these admissions were uneventful. Predictive parameters should be sought to identify patients who can be sent home safely

A quarter of admitted poisoned patients have a mild poisoning and require no treatment : An observational study

Background: Poisoned patients are frequently admitted following Emergency Department (ED) presentation, while the necessity of such admissions is hardly investigated. We determined the proportion and characteristics of poisoned patients who were admitted, but in retrospect had an uneventful admission. Methods: For this observational cohort study, all patients presented to the ED of a Dutch University Hospital with various poisonings during a 1.5-year period (January 2015–July 2016) were included. The uneventfulness of admissions, defined as patients with a low Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) who received no treatment, was determined in retrospect. Results: We included 417 patients who visited the ED for poisoning. 247 Patients were admitted: 30% to a general ward, 58% to a MCU, and 12% to the ICU. The poisoning severity scores of the admitted patients were none to mild in 38%, moderate to severe in 59%, and fatal in 2%. Upon admission, 60% of the patients received treatment. In retrospect, 77% of the admitted patients had a moderate, severe or fatal poisoning and/or required treatment. However, 23% of the admitted patients had a mild poisoning and required no treatment. This group involved younger patients (median age of 23 versus 42 years) and a higher proportion of patients reporting exposure to only one substance (65% versus 51%). Conclusions: The majority of poisoned patients presented to the ED was admitted, while in retrospect, a quarter of these admissions were uneventful. Predictive parameters should be sought to identify patients who can be sent home safely

One versus two years of elastic compression stockings for prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome (OCTAVIA study) : Randomised controlled trial

To study whether stopping elastic compression stockings (ECS) after 12 months is non-inferior to continuing them for 24 months after proximal deep venous thrombosis. Design Multicentre single blind non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Setting Outpatient clinics in eight teaching hospitals in the Netherlands, including one university medical centre. Participants Patients compliant with compression therapy for 12 months after symptomatic, ultrasound proven proximal deep venous thrombosis of the leg. Interventions Continuation or cessation of ECS 12 months after deep venous thrombosis. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome 24 months after diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis, as assessed by the standardised Villalta scale in an intention to treat analysis. The predefined non-inferiority margin was 10%. The main secondary outcome was quality of life (VEINES-QOL/Sym). Results 518 patients compliant with ECS and free of post-thrombotic syndrome were randomised one year after diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis to stop or continue ECS therapy for another year. In the stop-ECS group, 51 of 256 patients developed post-thrombotic syndrome, with an incidence of 19.9% (95% confidence interval 16% to 24%). In the continue-ECS group, 34 of 262 patients developed post-thrombotic syndrome (incidence 13.0%, 9.9% to 17%), of whom 85% used ECS six or seven days a week during the study period, for an absolute difference of 6.9% (95% confidence interval upper limit 12.3%). Because the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval exceeds the predefined margin of 10%, non-inferiority was not reached. The number needed to treat to prevent one case of post-thrombotic syndrome by continuing ECS was 14 (95% confidence interval lower limit 8). Quality of life did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion Stopping ECS after one year in compliant patients with proximal deep venous thrombosis seemed not to be non-inferior to continuing ECS therapy for two years in this non-inferiority trial

One versus two years of elastic compression stockings for prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome (OCTAVIA study) : Randomised controlled trial

To study whether stopping elastic compression stockings (ECS) after 12 months is non-inferior to continuing them for 24 months after proximal deep venous thrombosis. Design Multicentre single blind non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Setting Outpatient clinics in eight teaching hospitals in the Netherlands, including one university medical centre. Participants Patients compliant with compression therapy for 12 months after symptomatic, ultrasound proven proximal deep venous thrombosis of the leg. Interventions Continuation or cessation of ECS 12 months after deep venous thrombosis. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome 24 months after diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis, as assessed by the standardised Villalta scale in an intention to treat analysis. The predefined non-inferiority margin was 10%. The main secondary outcome was quality of life (VEINES-QOL/Sym). Results 518 patients compliant with ECS and free of post-thrombotic syndrome were randomised one year after diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis to stop or continue ECS therapy for another year. In the stop-ECS group, 51 of 256 patients developed post-thrombotic syndrome, with an incidence of 19.9% (95% confidence interval 16% to 24%). In the continue-ECS group, 34 of 262 patients developed post-thrombotic syndrome (incidence 13.0%, 9.9% to 17%), of whom 85% used ECS six or seven days a week during the study period, for an absolute difference of 6.9% (95% confidence interval upper limit 12.3%). Because the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval exceeds the predefined margin of 10%, non-inferiority was not reached. The number needed to treat to prevent one case of post-thrombotic syndrome by continuing ECS was 14 (95% confidence interval lower limit 8). Quality of life did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion Stopping ECS after one year in compliant patients with proximal deep venous thrombosis seemed not to be non-inferior to continuing ECS therapy for two years in this non-inferiority trial