Vilnius Declaration on chronic respiratory diseases : multisectoral care pathways embedding guided self-management, mHealth and air pollution in chronic respiratory diseases

Correction: Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Article Number: 49 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00357-4 Published: DEC 17 2020Background: Over 1 billion people suffer from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. They cause an enormous burden and are considered as major non-communicable diseases. Many patients are still uncontrolled and the cost of inaction is unacceptable. A meeting was held in Vilnius, Lithuania (March 23, 2018) under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and several scientific societies to propose multisectoral care pathways embedding guided self-management, mHealth and air pollution in selected chronic respiratory diseases (rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma and COPD). The meeting resulted in the Vilnius Declaration that was developed by the participants of the EU Summit on chronic respiratory diseases under the leadership of Euforea. Conclusion: The Vilnius Declaration represents an important step for the fight against air pollution in chronic respiratory diseases globally and has a clear strategic relevance with regard to the EU Health Strategy as it will bring added value to the existing public health knowledge.Peer reviewe

Inventory of current EU paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes

Background: We examined the diversity in paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes in Europe. Methods: Themes relevant for comparison of screening programmes were derived from literature and used to compile three questionnaires on vision, hearing and public-health screening. Tests used, professions involved, age and frequency of testing seem to influence sensitivity, specificity and costs most. Questionnaires were sent to ophthalmologists, orthoptists, otolaryngologists and audiologists involved in paediatric screening in all EU fullmember, candidate and associate states. Answers were cross-checked. Results: Thirty-nine countries participated; 35 have a vision screening programme, 33 a nation-wide neonatal hearing screening programme. Visual acuity (VA) is measured in 35 countries, in 71% more than once. First measurement of VA varies from three to seven years of age, but is usually before the age of five. At age three and four picture charts, including Lea Hyvarinen are used most, in children over four Tumbling-E and Snellen. As first hearing screening test otoacoustic emission (OAE) is used most in healthy neonates, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) in premature newborns. The majority of hearing testing programmes are staged; children are referred after one to four abnormal tests. Vision screening is performed mostly by paediatricians, ophthalmologists or nurses. Funding is mostly by health insurance or state. Coverage was reported as >95% in half of countries, but reporting was often not first-hand. Conclusion: Largest differences were found in VA charts used (12), professions involved in vision screening (10), number of hearing screening tests before referral (1-4) and funding sources (8)

Cochlear dimensions and cochlear implant electrode insertion resistance

Introduction: Size variations of cochlea are common in patient populations. One of the goals of cochlear implantation could be full-length insertion, which may benefit patient hearing outcomes. Our objective is to measure cochlear size and evaluate its effect on full-length electrode insertion resistance.Methods: Multiplanar reconstructions of high resolution CT defined by specific criteria were used to perform measurements: cochlear basal length and width, basal turn lumen diameter. All patients implanted with 31,5mm FlexSoft (MedEl) electrode array were included. Implantations were performed in a single tertiary referral center by single surgeon between 2011 and 2016. Electrode insertion resistance was measured using determined criteria.Results: 111 cochlear implantations were performed (27 bilateral). Cochlear basal length average was 8,9 (7,9-10,2)mm, basal width - 6,2 (5,1-7,1) mm. Basal turn diameter - 1,6 (0,8-2,8) mm. Cochlear duct length was 37,5 (33,1-42,6) mm. Correlations between cochlear dimensions were determined. No resistance was encountered during insertion of electrode array in 52,7% implantations, in 19,1% - strong resistance was observed. Data analysis showed smaller than 8,99 mm cochlear basal length was associated with encountering resistance points during cochlear electrode insertion (p=0,02).Conclusions: Though cochlea size might vary, cochlear structures retain similar ratio, which could leave small cochleae unnoticed during preoperative examination. In patients with smaller cochlear basal length, cochlear electrode insertion was associated with encountering resistance points. Measuring cochlear basal length before cochlear implantation might alert surgeon about possible difficulties inserting electrode array.Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an

One year structural and functional glaucoma progression after trabeculectomy

10.1038/s41598-020-59792-9Scientific Reports101280