Lymphedema Index Ratio As Predictive Factor of Treatment in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Background: This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the lymphedema index ratio to predict the effect of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and to establish a lymphedema index ratio cutoff value for the extent of CDT effect. Materials and Methods: All 108 enrolled patients with BCRL underwent volume measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis before and after CDT. The difference in percent excess volume (PEV) before and after CDT was defined as the therapeutic effect, and each patient was assigned to Groups A, B, or C based on therapeutic effects of 0%-5%, 5%-10%, and 10%-20%, respectively. Results: The mean lymphedema index ratios of Groups A, B, and C were 1.27, 1.38, and 1.46, respectively, with significant differences between the groups (p < 0.01). The cutoff lymphedema index ratio values for diagnosis between Groups A and B and between Groups B and C were 1.277 (sensitivity: 71.7%, specificity: 61.8%) and 1.357 (sensitivity: 76.9%, specificity: 62.1%), respectively. The Spearman coefficients for the linear relationship between lymphedema index ratio and initial PEV and between lymphedema index ratio and therapeutic effect were found to be significant at 0.615 and 0.360, respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study found that the lymphedema index ratio may predict the volume reduction in patients with BCRL. A less reduction (therapeutic effect <5%) was predicted in patients with a lymphedema index ratio of <1.277, while a greater reduction (therapeutic effect >10%) was predicted in patients with a lymphedema index ratio of >1.357.

Predictors of prolonged vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in acute stroke patients admitted to an intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT: To investigate the factors affecting the duration of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization in stroke patients.A total of 52 stroke patients with VRE colonization were enrolled. We divided the groups into several factors and confirmed whether each factor affected VRE colonization. Independent t test, bivariate correlation analysis, and Cox proportional hazards model were used to confirm statistical significance.Among 52 patients, 28 were ischemic stroke and 24 were hemorrhagic stroke. The mean duration of the VRE colonization was 39.08 ±â€Š44.22 days. The mean duration of VRE colonization of the ischemic stroke patients was 25.57 ±â€Š30.23 days and the hemorrhagic stroke patients was 54.83 ±â€Š52.75 days. The mean intensive care unit (ICU) care period was 15.23 ±â€Š21.98 days. Independent sample t test showed the hemorrhagic stroke (P < .05), use of antibiotics (P < .01), oral feeding (P < .01) were associated with duration of VRE colonization. Bivariate correlation analysis showed duration of ICU care (P < .001) was associated with duration of VRE colonization. Cox proportional hazard model showed oral feeding (P = .001), use of antibiotics (P = .003), and duration of ICU care (P = .001) as independent factors of duration of VRE colonization.Careful attention should be given to oral feeding, duration of ICU care, and use of antibiotics in stroke patients, especially hemorrhagic stroke patients, for intensive rehabilitation at the appropriate time.