Variations in concerns reported on the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) in head and neck cancer patients from different health settings across the world

Background: The aim was to collate and contrast patient concerns from a range of different head and neck cancer follow-up clinics around the world. Also, we sought to explore the relationship, if any, between responses to the patient concerns inventory (PCI) and overall quality of life (QOL). Methods: Nineteen units participated with intention of including 100 patients per site as close to a consecutive series as possible in order to minimize selection bias. Results: There were 2136 patients with a median total number of PCI items selected of 5 (2-10). “Fear of the cancer returning” (39%) and “dry mouth” (37%) were most common. Twenty-five percent (524) reported less than good QOL. Conclusion: There was considerable variation between units in the number of items selected and in overall QOL, even after allowing for case-mix variables. There was a strong progressive association between the number of PCI items and QOL

Colonization, Infection and Risk Factors for Death in an Infectious Disease ICU in Romania

Knowing the bacterial strains in the intensive care unit (ICU) is important for reducing the rate of bacterial transmission and the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), allowing for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of death by HAIs. We performed a retrospective case-control study in a single center that included 320 bacteriologically screened patients from the ICU of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Constanta between September 2017 and March 2020. Sixty-five secondary bacterial infections were identified as the cause of hospital admission and 60 bacterial colonizations. There were 20 cases and 300 controls for the mortality rate and risk factors for death. Multivariate analysis identified that hospitalization of patients for HIV infection (OR 11.82, 95% CI: 1.69-83.62, P ≤0.05) and Clostridioides difficile infection (OR 7.38, 95% CI: 1.39 -39.22, P ≤ 0.05) were independent risk factors associated with death. We observed that the number of colonizations or secondary infections in the ICU was similar, and the mortality rate in the ICU was influenced by HIV infection or Clostridioides difficile infection

Identidad lingüística en Guinea Ecuatorial: diglosia y actittudes lingüísticas ante el español

En la tesina investigué las actitudes lingüísticas de los nativos de Guinea Ecuatorial ante el español. Es un estudio sociolingüístico que averigua, por una parte, la marca lingüística de identidad y pertenencia de los hablantes bilingües del país africano; por otra parte, se busca confirmar el papel del español como lengua de koiné a través de las actitudes lingüísticas. La investigación que propongo es una variante actualizada y comparativa con los trabajos que el investigador Antonio Quilis desempeñó en 1983 y 1988

ACUTE UPPER AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction. Cricoarytenoid arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not infrequent and symptoms can range from mild, nonspecific laryngeal complains to acute upper airway obstruction. Case report. We report a case of bilateral vocal cord palsy due to cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) involvement in a RA patient presenting with respiratory distress and stridor. The diagnosis was confirmed by flexible laryngoscopy. The patient responded well to systemic corticosteroids and did not require tracheostomy. There was no recurrence of the symptoms after corticosteroid dose tapering and the patient was discharged after 2 weeks. Conclusion. Cricoarytenoid arthritis should be suspected in RA patients presenting with acute airway compromise. Prompt recognition of this condition and appropriate management can be life-saving

Endoscopic Sphenopalatine Artery Cauterization in the Management of Recurrent Posterior Epistaxis

Background and Objectives: Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization (ESPAC) has become a reliable and effective surgical procedure for managing posterior epistaxis. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the effectiveness of ESPAC in the management of posterior epistaxis and the possible factors that lead to the failure of the procedure. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent ESPAC between 2018 and 2022. We retrospectively reviewed the demographic data, patients’ co-morbidities, medical treatment conditions, whether other surgical procedures were performed in addition to the ESPAC, and the success rate of ESPAC. Results: 28 patients were included in our study. After ESPAC, epistaxis was successfully managed in 25 patients (89.28%). Of all patients undergoing ESPAC, three (10.7%) presented re-bleeding. In two patients, we performed an endoscopic revision surgery with re-cauterization of the sphenopalatine foramen area, together with anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy, followed by fat occlusion/obliteration of these sinuses. In one patient, fat obliteration of the anterior and posterior ethmoid was also unsuccessful, and we performed an external carotid artery ligation at the level of the neck with no recurrence afterwards. Conclusions: Endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery remains a safe, effective, and reliable surgical procedure in the management of recurrent posterior epistaxis. The use of anticoagulant drugs and the association of hypertension and other heart and liver diseases do not materialize as factors influencing surgical failure