Acute effects of simultaneous intraperitoneal infusion of glucose and amino acids

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Patients with Asthma and Comorbid Allergic Rhinitis: Is Optimal Quality of Life Achievable in Real Life?

Asthma trials suggest that patients reaching total disease control have an optimal Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Moreover, rhinitis is present in almost 80% of asthmatics and impacts asthma control and patient HRQoL. We explored whether optimal HRQoL was reachable in a real-life setting, and evaluated the disease and patient related patterns associated to optimal HRQoL achievement. = 7.617; p<0.006).Approximately one third of the patients in our survey were found to have an optimal HRQoL. While unsatisfactory disease control was the primary reason why the remainder failed to attain optimal HRQoL, it is clear that illness perception and mood also played parts. Therefore, therapeutic plans should be directed not only toward achieving the best possible clinical control of asthma and comorbid rhinitis, but also to incorporating individualized elements according to patient-related characteristics

The 'Survivorship Passport' for childhood cancer survivors

Background: Currently, there are between 300,000 and 500,000 childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) in Europe. A significant proportion is at high risk, and at least 60% of them develop adverse health-related outcomes that can appear several years after treatment completion. Many survivors are unaware of their personal risk, and there seems to be a general lack of information among healthcare providers about pathophysiology and natural history of treatment-related complications. This can generate incorrect or delayed diagnosis and treatments. Method: The Survivorship Passport (SurPass) consists of electronic documents, which summarise the clinical history of the childhood or adolescent cancer survivor. It was developed by paediatric oncologists of the PanCare and SIOPE networks and IT experts of Cineca, together with parents, patients, and survivors' organisations within the European Union–funded European Network for Cancer research in Children and Adolescents. It consists of a template of a web-based, simply written document, translatable in all European languages, to be given to each CCS. The SurPass provides a summary of each survivor's clinical history, with detailed information about the original cancer and of treatments received, together with personalised follow-up and screening recommendations based on guidelines published by the International Guidelines Harmonization Group and PanCareSurFup. Results: The SurPass data schema contains a maximum of 168 variables and uses internationally approved nomenclature, except for radiotherapy fields, where a new classification was defined by radiotherapy experts. The survivor-specific screening recommendations are mainly based on treatment received and are automatically suggested, thanks to built-in algorithms. These may be adapted and further individualised by the treating physician in case of special disease and survivor circumstances. The SurPass was tested at the Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Italy, and received positive feedback. It is now being integrated at the institutional, regional and national level. Conclusions: The SurPass is potentially an essential tool for improved and more harmonised follow-up of CCS. It also has the potential to be a useful tool for empowering CCSs to be responsible for their own well-being and preventing adverse events whenever possible. With sufficient commitment on the European level, this solution should increase the capacity to respond more effectively to the needs of European CCS

Selection of patients with high risk endometrial cancer for surgical staging according to the evaluation of pre- and intraoperative risk factors

The aim of this paper was to assess the accuracy of frozen sections histological examination and preoperative CA-125 to select patients with high risk endometrial cancer

Evaluating the effectiveness of calculator use in drug dosage calculation among italian nursing students: A comparative study

Background :Patient safety, including safe drug administration, is an essential component of the nursing profession. Mathematical competence is considered an essential skill for nurses. Drug administration is among the principle duties of nurses, therefore it is essential that nurses are able to carry out, drug dosage calculations, to assure patient safety. Nursing research indicates that a poor medication calculation skill is an international issue for the nursing profession. Aim:To verify if calculator use in the written Maths Skill Test (MST) reduces errors in the test and improves undergraduate nursing students' performance. Methods:This study compares the test results of the second year nursing students randomized into two groups: An experimental and a control group, respectively with and without a calculator, to understand if the calculator helps students to reduce mathematical errors. Results:The range of the scores was different between the two groups. The experimental group had scores ranging from 16.15 to 29.25 out of a possible 30, the average score was 24.30 (SD 3.34) and the control group had scores ranging from 12.80 to 27.25, the average was 22.73 (SD 4.38). Conclusions:Our study shows mathematical deficiencies in both groups, despite the use of a calculator. Implications for practice:An integrated approach of several strategies will improve drug calculation skills of nursing students and ensure patient safety

Exhaled nitric oxide is associated with cyclic changes in sexual hormones

Background: We hypothesized that changes in the levels of sexual hormones during the menstrual cycle influence the concentration of nitric oxide in the exhaled air (FeNO) and alveolar exhaled nitric oxide (CANO). Methods: Twelve healthy, non allergic women in their reproductive age (age range 25-37 years) were recruited. Subjects were studied, on alternate days, over the course of their menstrual cycle. At each visit, measurements of FeNO and CANO were performed. Progesterone and 17-\uce\ub2-estradiol concentrations were measured in salivary samples. Results: Eight subjects completed the study. The levels of FeNO and CANO were 13\uc2\ub14.7 pbb and 3.5\uc2\ub11.9 pbb, respectively (mean\uc2\ub1SD). The mean salivary concentration of progesterone was 65.1\uc2\ub116.2pg/ml (mean\uc2\ub1SD), with a range of 32.4-107.7pg/ml, and the concentration of 17 \uce\ub2-estradiol was 6.0\uc2\ub11.6pg/ml, with a range of 3.1-12.9pg/ml. The Generalized Estimating Equations procedure demonstrated that levels of progesterone influenced both FeNO and CANO (Wald \ucf\u872=11.60, p=0.001; and Wald \ucf\u872=87.55, p=0.001, respectively). On the contrary, the salivary levels of 17 \uce\ub2-estradiol were not significantly associated with FeNO (Wald \ucf\u872=0.087, p=0.768) or CANO (Wald \ucf\u872=0.58, p=0.448). Conclusion: In healthy women, the menstrual cycle-associated hormonal fluctuations selectively influence the levels of bronchial and alveolar NO. The current findings may have important clinical implications for the interpretation of eNO levels, by identifying a patient-related factor that influences the eNO measurements. \uc2\ua9 2013 Elsevier Ltd

Demographic characteristics and clinical data for the 209 patients in the final analysis group.

<p>Demographic characteristics and clinical data for the 209 patients in the final analysis group.</p

Patient knowledge, perceptions, expectations and satisfaction on allergen-specific immunotherapy:A survey

<p>Background: Assessing patient's perspective provides useful information enabling a customized approach which has been advocated by current guidelines. In this multicentre cross-sectional study we evaluated personal viewpoints on allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) in patients treated with subcutaneous (SCIT) or sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy.</p><p>Methods: A survey of 28 questions assessing patient's knowledge, perceptions, expectations and satisfaction was developed by an expert panel and was applied by physicians from allergology centres in patients with respiratory allergy treated with SIT. Treating physicians independently reported their satisfaction level regarding SIT for each patient.</p><p>Results: Fully completed surveys from 434 patients (55.3% mate; 66.7% poly-sensitized, 74% SLIT) were analysed. Mean duration of SIT was 2.5 years with different allergens. Most patients acquired their SIT knowledge from their physician (95%) and consequently, their physicians' opinion in their choice to start with SIT was important. Most patients perceived SIT to be safe and easy to integrate into their daily routine. The main motivations for SIT were its supposed potential to alter the course of the disease (45.7%), less need of (28.2%), or dissatisfaction with current pharmacotherapy (19.3%). Both patients' and physicians' satisfaction was high (VAS-scores 74/100 and 78/100, respectively) and showed a significant correlation (SCIT: r = 0.612; SLIT: r = 0.608). No major difference was found in patients' answers based on the level of education.</p><p>Conclusion: In this real life study evaluating different aspects of patient's perspective on SIT, the majority of patients had an adequate level of knowledge, perceptions, expectations and satisfaction about SIT, which corresponded well with the physician's perceptions and satisfaction. Our data warrant the use of patient's perspectives on chronic SIT treatment. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p>

Patient reported outcomes (PROs) differences in patients with controlled asthma (ACT ≥20) (N = 86) achieving or not an optimal HRQoL. (Student's t-test; m±sd).

<p>Legend: IPQ-R = Illness perception Questionnaire Revised; POMS = Profile of Mood States Questionnaire. GS = global summary. A GS score <20 is expression of an optimal asthma and rhinitis related quality of life.</p>*<p>Level of significance p<0.05.</p

Illness perception (IPQ-R) and profile of mood state (POMS) in patients reaching an optimal HRQoL (GS score ≤20) and not reaching an optimal HRQoL (GS >20). (Student's t-test; m±sd).

<p>Legend: IPQ-R = Illness perception Questionnaire Revised version; GS = Global Summary.</p>*<p>Level of significance p<0.05.</p