Patients with persistent medically unexplained symptoms in general practice: characteristics and quality of care

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are common in general practice (GP), and are even more problematic as they become persistent. The present study examines the relationship between persistent MUPS in general practice on the one hand and quality of life, social conditions, and coping on the other hand. Additionally, it is examined how patients with persistent MUPS evaluate the quality of GP-care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were used from a representative survey of morbidity in Dutch general practice, in which data from the electronic medical records were extracted. A random sample of patients participated in an extensive health interview and completed self-reported measures on social isolation, coping and the quality of GP-care. Patients with persistent MUPS (N = 192) were compared with general practice patients not meeting the criteria for persistent MUPS (N = 7.314), and with a group of patients that visited the GP in comparable rates for medical diagnoses (N = 2.265). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to control for relevant socio-demographic variables and chronic diseases.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After adjustment for demographics and chronic diseases, patients with persistent MUPS reported more psychological distress, more functional impairment, more social isolation, and they evaluated the quality of GP-care less positive than the other two patient groups. Although the majority of MUPS patients were positive about the quality of GP-care, they more often felt that they were not taken seriously or not involved in treatment decisions, and more often reported that the GP did not take sufficient time. The three groups did not differ with respect to the statement that the GP unnecessarily explains physical problems as psychological ones.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Strengthening MUPS patients' social network and encouraging social activities may be a meaningful intervention in which the GP may play a stimulating role. To further improve MUPS patients' satisfaction with GP-care, GPs may pay extra attention to taking sufficient time when treating MUPS patients, taking the problems seriously, and involving them in treatment decisions.</p

Magnetic biosensors - From molecule to system

Biosensors research combines molecular-level with system-level challenges. The molecular challenge is to rapidly and reliably detect very low concentrations of molecules in a complex biological sample. The system challenge is to find principles that enable the integration of a series of process steps in a disposable cartridge. This paper describes how both aspects can be served by the actuation and detection of magnetic particles, illustrated by the example of immunoassay biosensing

Monitoring of enzymatic processes by using magnetizable or magnetic objects as labels

The present invention provides a method and sensor device for monitoring an enzymic process of a biol. mol. by, at least once, during the enzymic process detg. an amt. of magnetic particles attached to a sensor surface. The method and device according to embodiments of the present invention may be used for monitoring an enzymic process as a function of time. The method is used in nucleic acid amplification., such as PCR. A magnetic-particle sensor for detection of amplified nucleic acid sequences in a real-time configuration is disclosed. [on SciFinder (R)

Biosensors and preparation thereof

A low-temp. prepn. method for a biosensor device with a layer of reagent on the sensor surface is disclosed. During manufg. biol. interaction between the biosensor substrate and the reagent layer material is reduced, e.g. by cooling the biosensor substrate and depositing the reagent layer on the cooled biosensor substrate. Alternatively, the biol. interaction between the biosensor substrate and the reagent layer material may also be reduced by providing a sepn. layer. Furthermore, the method comprises, after depositing of the reagent layer, at least maintaining the biol. interaction until the reagent layer is substantially mech. stable. The method reduces or even avoids interaction between reagent and biol. or biochem. active moieties present on the substrate surface. The latter nevertheless allows to obtain a biosensor device with high reactivity of the reagent layer during operation of the biosensor. Biosensors thus obtained allow for fast assays, low reagent use, multiplexing, and small sample vol. [on SciFinder (R)

Attraction and repulsion of magnetic or magnetizable objects to and from a sensor surface

The present invention provides a magnetic sensor device a first magnetic field generating means for attracting magnetic or magnetizable objects, e.g. magnetic particles, to a sensor surface and a second magnetic field generating means for, in combination with the first magnetic field, repelling magnetic or magnetizable objects, e.g. magnetic particles, from the sensor surface. The magnetic fields generated by the first and second magnetic field generating means have substantially anti-parallel directions. The present invention furthermore provides a method for attracting and repelling magnetic or magnetizable objects, e.g. magnetic particles, to and from a sensor surface. [on SciFinder (R)

Magnetic biochips: a new option for sensitive diagnostics

We present an overview of miniaturized biosensor devices based on the sensitive detection of magnetic nanoparticles using the giant magneto-resistance effect. This detection principle has advantages over established methods, and the sensitivity is promising. In our opinion, the challenge is now in the integration—of sample pretreatment, in a cartridge, of nanoparticles with proper stabilization, magnetic properties, and surface functionalizations

Magnetic and/or electric label assisted detection system and method

A detection system is described for detecting analytes in a fluid sample. The detection system comprises a transporting means for transporting magnetic and/or elec. labels after interaction between the sample fluid and the reagents towards a detection receptacle. The detection receptacle is initially substantially magnetic and/or elec. label free. By transporting the magnetic and/or elec. labels after reaction, interference between unreacted reagents and magnetic and/or elec. label-assisted detection can be reduced. [on SciFinder (R)

Detection of actuated clusters by scattering

A method for detecting clusters of superparamagnetic particles coated with a bioreactive agent is provided. A suspension of the superparamagnetic particles in a fluid to be analyzed is provided. The particles are allowed to form clusters due to an analyte present within the fluid and a magnetic field rotating at a given frequency is applied to the solution. Light is directed to the fluid and the amplitude of the intensity of scattered light at twice the frequency of the magnetic field is extracted. By determining the amplitude of the measured intensity of scattered light at twice the field depending on the frequency of the magnetic field a frequency-dependent measurement may be achieved. The frequency-dependent measurement may be used to determine the critical frequency of clusters, to distinguish clusters having different sizes or to measure the average value of the susceptibility and the spread of the susceptibility of the particles in the fluid. Furthermore, an apparatus for apparatus for detecting clusters of superparamagnetic particles is provided