Triggers of acute attacks of gout, does age of gout onset matter?: a primary care based cross-sectional study

Objectives To determine the proportion of people with gout who self-report triggers of acute attacks; identify the commonly reported triggers, and examine the disease and demographic features associated with self-reporting any trigger(s) of acute attacks of gout. Methods Individuals with gout were asked to fill a questionnaire enquiring about triggers that precipitated their acute gout attacks. Binary logistic regression was used to compute odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to examine the association between having ≥1 self-reported trigger of acute gout and disease and demographic risk factors and to adjust for covariates. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA. Results 550 participants returned completed questionnaires. 206 (37.5%) reported at least one trigger of acute attacks, and less than 5% reported >2 triggers. Only 28.73% participants reported that their most recent gout attack was triggered by dietary or lifestyle risk factors. The most frequently self-reported triggers were alcohol intake (14.18%), red-meat or sea-food consumption (6%), dehydration (4.91%), injury or excess activity (4.91%), and excessively warm or cold weather (4.36% and 5.45%). Patients who had onset of gout before the age of 50 years were significantly more likely to identify a trigger for precipitating their acute gout attacks (aOR (95%CI) 1.73 (1.12–2.68) after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Most people with gout do not identify any triggers for acute attacks, and identifiable triggers are more common in those with young onset gout. Less than 20% people self-reported acute gout attacks from conventionally accepted triggers of gout e.g. alcohol, red-meat intake, while c.5% reported novel triggers such as dehydration, injury or physical activity, and weather extremes

Global Perspectives on Task Shifting and Task Sharing in Neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical task shifting and task sharing (TS/S), delegating clinical care to non-neurosurgeons, is ongoing in many hospital systems in which neurosurgeons are scarce. Although TS/S can increase access to treatment, it remains highly controversial. This survey investigated perceptions of neurosurgical TS/S to elucidate whether it is a permissible temporary solution to the global workforce deficit. METHODS: The survey was distributed to a convenience sample of individuals providing neurosurgical care. A digital survey link was distributed through electronic mailing lists of continental neurosurgical societies and various collectives, conference announcements, and social media platforms (July 2018-January 2019). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and univariate regression of Likert Scale scores. RESULTS: Survey respondents represented 105 of 194 World Health Organization member countries (54.1%; 391 respondents, 162 from high-income countries and 229 from low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]). The most agreed on statement was that task sharing is preferred to task shifting. There was broad consensus that both task shifting and task sharing should require competency-based evaluation, standardized training endorsed by governing organizations, and maintenance of certification. When perspectives were stratified by income class, LMICs were significantly more likely to agree that task shifting is professionally disruptive to traditional training, task sharing should be a priority where human resources are scarce, and to call for additional TS/S regulation, such as certification and formal consultation with a neurosurgeon (in person or electronic/telemedicine). CONCLUSIONS: Both LMIC and high-income countries agreed that task sharing should be prioritized over task shifting and that additional recommendations and regulations could enhance care. These data invite future discussions on policy and training programs

Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervical Classification Validation Group

Purpose: The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon’s geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries. Methods: A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience. The survey included clinical case scenarios of cervical facet dislocation injuries and asked responders to select preferences among various diagnostic and management options. Results: A total of 189 complete responses were received. Over 50% of responding surgeons in each region elected to initiate management of cervical facet dislocation injuries with an MRI, with 6 case exceptions. Overall, there was considerable agreement between American and European responders regarding management of these injuries, with only 3 cases exhibiting a significant difference. Additionally, results also exhibited considerable management agreement between those with ≤ 10 and > 10 years of practice experience, with only 2 case exceptions noted. Conclusion: More than half of responders, regardless of geographical location or practice experience, identified MRI as a screening imaging modality when managing cervical facet dislocation injuries, regardless of the status of the spinal cord and prior to any additional intervention. Additionally, a majority of surgeons would elect an anterior approach for the surgical management of these injuries. The study found overall agreement in management preferences of cervical facet dislocation injuries around the globe

Social circumstances and cultural beliefs influence maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and child feeding practices in South Africa:

Maternal and child undernutrition remain prevalent in developing countries with 45 and 11% of child deaths linked to poor nutrition and suboptimal breastfeeding, respectively. This also has adverse effects on child growth and development. The study determined maternal dietary diversity, breastfeeding and, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and identified reasons for such behavior in five rural communities in South Africa, in the context of cultural beliefs and social aspects

Sensory Communication

Contains table of contents for Section 2, an introduction and reports on fourteen research projects.National Institutes of Health Grant RO1 DC00117National Institutes of Health Grant RO1 DC02032National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Grant R01 DC00126National Institutes of Health Grant R01 DC00270National Institutes of Health Contract N01 DC52107U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research/Naval Air Warfare Center Contract N61339-95-K-0014U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research/Naval Air Warfare Center Contract N61339-96-K-0003U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-96-1-0379U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Grant F49620-95-1-0176U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Grant F49620-96-1-0202U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Subcontract 40167U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research/Naval Air Warfare Center Contract N61339-96-K-0002National Institutes of Health Grant R01-NS33778U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-92-J-184

etiological Pattern o FBlePHaroPtosis among Patients Presenting in teacHing HosPital

The purpose of this study was to find out the etiological pattern of blepharoptosis among patients presenting in BPKLCOS, T.U. Teaching Hospital. This was a hospital based descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted from February 2003 to July 2004. A total of 125 patients with ptosis were evaluated. 78 cases (62.4%) were congenital and 47 cases (37.6 %) were acquired. Congenital simple ptosis and congenital complicated ptosis comprised of 58% and 42% respectively. Among the acquired cause, ptosis due to trauma was the commonest 32%, followed by third cranial nerve palsy 25.5%, myasthenia gravis 17%, aponeurotic 10.7%, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia 8.5% etc. Aetiology-wise, myogenic ptosis was the commonest (65.6%) which was followed by neurogenic (16.8%), traumatic (12%) and aponeurotic ptosis (5.6%). Congenital ptosis is more common than acquired ptosis. Myogenic ptosis is the most predominant type of ptosis. Among the congenital ptosis, congenital simple ptosis is more common than congenital complicated ptosis. Among the acquired cases trauma, third cranial nerve palsy and myasthenia gravis are the major attendees. Key Words: Blepharoptosis, congenital, acquired, myogenic, neurogenic, aponeurotic

A comparison of renal function between open and endovascular aneurysm repair in patients with baseline chronic renal insufficiency

ObjectiveEndovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is rapidly becoming the predominant technique for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Results from current studies, however, are conflicting on the effect of EVAR on renal function compared with standard open repair. Furthermore, data for open repair in patients with baseline renal insufficiency suggests worse outcomes, including renal function. This analysis compared the effects of open repair vs EVAR on renal function in patients with baseline renal insufficiency.MethodsWe reviewed our records for patients with preoperative chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine, 1.5 mg/dL) who underwent open repair or EVAR between 1999 and 2004. The same group of vascular surgeons at a single institution performed aneurysm repair on 98 patients: 46 open (37 men, 9 women) and 52 EVAR (50 men, 2 women). Preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were compared, as was the development of postoperative renal impairment (increase in serum creatinine >30%).ResultsSerum creatinine and creatinine clearance were not statistically different between the open and EVAR groups during any time period studied. Likewise when comparing the magnitude of change in serum creatinine in patients between the postoperative and follow-up times with preoperative values, no significant differences existed between the open and EVAR groups. When the change in serum creatinine over time within each group was compared, however, the open group had a significant increase in serum creatinine postoperatively (2.43 ± 1.20 vs 2.04 ± 0.64, P = .012), which returned to baseline during follow-up (1.96 ± 0.94, P = .504). Although serum creatinine in the EVAR group increased compared with preoperative values of 2.04 ± 0.55 (postoperative, 2.27 ± 1.04; follow-up, 2.40 ± 1.37), this failed to reach statistical significance for the postoperative (P = .092) or follow-up (P = .081) periods. A similar pattern was noted in creatinine clearance. Postoperative renal impairment was noted in 13 open (28%) and 15 EVAR patients (29%) and was not statistically different between groups. Overall, two patients (4.3%) from the open group and four (7.7%) from the EVAR group required hemodialysis; one in the EVAR group required permanent hemodialysis. This difference was not statistically significant (P = .681).ConclusionsOpen and endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with pre-existent renal insufficiency can be performed safely with preservation of renal function. In contrast to previous reports, no significant differences existed between open repair and EVAR in postoperative alterations in renal function. Although a significant increase in serum creatinine develops in patients with renal insufficiency postoperatively with open repair, this appears to be transient, and preoperative renal dysfunction alone should not exclude either approach. After EVAR, patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency continue to be at risk for progressive renal dysfunction, and protective measures should be taken to preserve renal function in this patient population

The Bhaktapur eye study: ocular trauma and antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of corneal ulceration in Nepal

AIMS—To determine the incidence of ocular trauma and corneal ulceration in the district of Bhaktapur in Kathmandu Valley, and to determine whether or not topical antibiotic prophylaxis can prevent the development of ulceration after corneal abrasion.
METHODS—A defined population of 34 902 individuals was closely followed prospectively for 2 years by 81 primary eye care workers who referred all cases of ocular trauma and/or infection to one of the three local secondary eye study centres in Bhaktapur for examination, treatment, and follow up by an ophthalmologist. All cases of ocular trauma were documented and treated at the centres. Individuals with corneal abrasion confirmed by clinical examination who presented within 48 hours of the injury without signs of corneal infection were enrolled in the study and treated with 1% chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment to the injured eye three times a day for 3( )days.
RESULTS—Over the 2 year period there were 1248 cases of ocular trauma reported in the population of 34 902 (1788/100 000 annual incidence) and 551 cases of corneal abrasion (789/100 000 annual incidence). The number of clinically documented corneal ulcers was 558 (799/100 000 annual incidence). Of the 442 eligible patients with corneal abrasion enrolled in the prophylaxis study, 424 (96%) healed without infection, and none of the 284 patients who were started on treatment within 18 hours after the injury developed ulcers. Four of the 109 patients (3.7%) who presented 18-24 hours after injury developed infections, and 14 (28.6%) of the 49 patients who presented 24-48 hours subsequently developed corneal ulceration.
CONCLUSIONS—Ocular trauma and corneal ulceration are serious public health problems that are occurring in epidemic proportions in Nepal. This study conclusively shows that post-traumatic corneal ulceration can be prevented by topical application of 1% chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment in a timely fashion to the eyes of individuals who have suffered a corneal abrasion in a rural setting. Maximum benefit is obtained if prophylaxis is started within 18 hours after injury.