[Comparative analysis of the financing of follow-up and rehabilitation care institutions and public mental health institutions: Application for innovative and expensive drugs]. / Analyse comparative du financement des établissements de soins de suite et réadaptation et des établissements publics de santé mentale : application pour les médicaments innovants et onéreux.

Pharmacotherapeutic care is now expanding in public mental health institutions. Annual grants are funding the public psychiatric field, hindering access to therapeutic innovation and expensive medications due to long length of stay. On the threshold of the French Healthcare & Social Services Ministry "Ma Santé 2022" plan ("My Health 2022"), there is a risk of altering the continuum of care because of the complexity of the financing of certain high added value therapies. Despite a desire to adapt the system to meet constantly changing health needs, no actions have been taken to this date in psychiatry, with no funds being allocated for valuable medication, in contrary to follow-up care and rehabilitation structures, to our knowledge. This reinforces the discrepancy with the evolution of research, and further widens the gap in inequalities between health sectors. Optimising the funding of expensive medicines in psychiatry would make it possible to reduce the stranglehold of current allocations. Following the example of recent reforms in the follow-up care and rehabilitation structures, extra funds for high value-added therapies would make it possible to reduce complex medical decisions: from prevention to reintegration, patient care continuity would be vastly guaranteed.

Resolution of appendiceal colic following migration of an appendicolith.

The presence of an appendiceal fecalith should not be considered as a categorical sign of acute appendicitis. The fecalith may, however, be responsible for abdominal pain--right lower quadrant tenderness without associated appendicitis, i.e. appendiceal colic. When a patient presents with right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness, abdomino-pelvic computerized tomography (CT) may establish this diagnosis by demonstrating the presence of the appendicolith but without evidence of appendiceal inflammation or infection. Spontaneous migration of the appendicolith may result in cure. In this previously unpublished clinical case, the CT demonstrates the spontaneous passage of the appendicolith, which coincided in time with the resolution of the abdominal pain syndrome. When a patient presents with typical symptoms of appendiceal colic and CT findings of an appendicolith without appendicitis, appendectomy will certainly relieve the pain. But if the stone passes spontaneously, the need for appendectomy is debatable, particularly in a high-risk patient.

Pregnancy in women with portal vein thrombosis: results of a multicentric European study on maternal and fetal management and outcome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Women of childbearing age account for approximately 25% of patients with non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis (PVT). We aimed at assessing maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant women with known PVT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the files of women with chronic PVT in three European referral centers between 1986 and 2010. RESULTS: Forty-five pregnancies, 28 (62%) treated with low molecular weight heparin, occurred in 24 women. Nine (20%) were lost before gestation week 20. Preterm birth occurred in 38% of deliveries: there were 3 births at week 24-25, 7 at week 32-36, and 26 after week 37. A term birth with a healthy infant occurred in 58% of pregnancies. Cesarean section was used in 53% of deliveries. Two women developed HELLP syndrome. A favorable outcome happened in 64% of pregnancies. Pregnancies with an unfavorable outcome were associated with a higher platelet count at diagnosis. Bleeding from esophageal varices occurred in 3 patients during pregnancy, all without adequate primary prophylaxis. Genital or parietal bleeding occurred postpartum in 4 patients, only one being on anticoagulation therapy. Thrombotic events occurred in 2 patients, none related to lower limbs or mesenteric veins. There were no maternal deaths. CONCLUSIONS: In pregnant PVT patients treated with anticoagulation on an individual basis, the rate of miscarriage and preterm birth appears to be increased. However, fetal and maternal outcomes are favorable for most pregnancies reaching gestation week 20. High platelet counts appear to increase the risk for unfavorable outcome. Pregnancy should not be contraindicated in stable PVT patients.

Epidemiology of chronic hepatitis B infection in France: risk factors for significant fibrosis--results of a nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data concerning hepatitis B are scarce in France. AIM: To describe epidemiological, clinical, virological and histological features of HBsAg-positive patients followed at non-academic hospitals in France. METHODS: Clinical, biological, virological and histological data of all HBsAg-positive consecutive patients observed from April 1, 2001 to May 31, 2002 in participating centres were recorded prospectively. Multivariate analyses of factors associated with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were performed. RESULTS: Nearly 1166 HBsAg-positive patients were seen in the 58 centres: 671 males and 495 females from metropolitan France (32%) and from outside metropolitan France (68%); mean age 41 +/- 15 years. Twenty-nine percent of patients were probable HBsAg inactive carriers, while 50% had chronic hepatitis; 43% of these were HBeAg-positive and 57% HBeAg-negative. Liver biopsy had been performed in 558 (51%) patients; 205 (17.6%) patients had cirrhosis. By multivariate analysis, factors associated with significant fibrosis were: age >40 years (P < 0.05), HBeAg-negative status (P < 0.02) and histological activity (P < 0.0001). Factors associated with cirrhosis: age (P < 0.0001), platelet count <150 000/mm(3) (P < 0.0001) and viral co-infection (P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: HBV infection represents a significant workload for hepatogastroenterologists at non-academic hospitals in France.

Splanchnic vein thrombosis in candidates for liver transplantation: usefulness of screening and anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Splanchnic vein thrombosis is a significant source of complications in candidates for liver transplantation. The aims of this study were: (a) to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for splanchnic vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients awaiting transplantation and (b) to assess the usefulness of anticoagulation. METHODS: A total of 251 cirrhotic patients listed for transplantation were analysed. All underwent systematic screening for thrombosis with Doppler ultrasonography. During the second period of the study, all patients with thrombosis received anticoagulation up to transplantation while during the first period none had received anticoagulation. RESULTS: The incidence of splanchnic vein thrombosis at evaluation was 8.4%. Seventeen additional patients (7.4%) developed de novo thrombosis after evaluation. Independent risk factors for thrombosis were low platelet count (77.4 (36.3) v 111.6 (69.2) 10(9)/l; p = 0.001), a past history of variceal bleeding (47.4% v 29.1%; p = 0.003), and a prolonged interval from listing to transplantation (8.5 (6.8) v 4.8 (4.4) months; p = 0.002). The proportion of partial or complete recanalisation was significantly higher in those who received (8/19) than in those who did not receive (0/10, p = 0.002) anticoagulation. Survival was significantly lower in those who had complete portal vein thrombosis at the time of surgery (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: These results support a systematic screening for splanchnic vein thrombosis in patients awaiting transplantation. They suggest that in these patients, anticoagulation is safe and has a significant impact on recanalisation as well as prevention of extension of thrombosis.

Association of idiopathic hepatic sinusoidal dilatation with the immunological features of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Isolated sinusoidal dilatation is an uncommon hepatic lesion and the cause is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether prothrombotic disorders or perisinusoidal cell changes could be involved in pure idiopathic hepatic sinusoidal dilatation (HSD). METHODS: Evaluation for associated conditions, prothrombotic disorders, and studies of hepatic perisinusoidal cell activation in consecutive patients, seen between 1993 and 2002, with isolated sinusoidal dilatation unrelated to outflow block, sinusoidal infiltration, or hepatic granulomas. RESULTS: Among 11 patients, associated conditions were prothrombotic disorders (n = 5) and oral contraceptive use (n = 3). Prothrombotic disorders were polycythemia vera (n = 1) and anticardiolipin antibodies combined with lupus anticoagulant (n = 4). No genetic thrombophilia factor was found. Of four patients with lupus anticoagulant, three had antinuclear factors and high serum levels of anticardiolipin antibodies at repeated testing. There was no evidence of intrahepatic or extrahepatic thrombosis in any of the patients. Sinusoidal dilatation was marked in six of 11 patients (54%), including two patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Activated perisinusoidal cells were only found around markedly dilated sinusoids. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic pure HSD is frequently associated with the immunological features of the antiphospholipid syndrome. Therefore, finding pure HSD in a liver biopsy specimen should prompt the search for antiphospholipid antibodies.

Comparison of the effect of terlipressin and albumin on arterial blood volume in patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites treated by paracentesis: a randomised pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites treated by paracentesis alone have a decrease in effective arterial blood volume after ascites removal. Although intravenous albumin is effective in preventing paracentesis induced decreased arterial blood volume, its clinical use is controversial. As paracentesis induces arteriolar vasodilation which plays a role in the development of decreased effective arterial blood volume, administration of a vasoconstrictor (terlipressin) could prevent circulatory alterations due to paracentesis. AIMS: To perform a pilot study comparing the effects of terlipressin and albumin on effective arterial blood volume in patients with cirrhosis treated by paracentesis for tense ascites. METHODS: Twenty patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites were randomly assigned to be treated by either paracentesis and terlipressin or paracentesis and albumin. Terlipressin (3 mg) or albumin (8 g/l of removed ascites) were administered on the day of paracentesis. Effective arterial blood volume was assessed by measuring plasma renin concentrations at baseline and on the day of hospital discharge (4-6 days after treatment). Decreased effective arterial blood volume was defined as an increase in plasma renin concentrations on the day of hospital discharge of more than 50% of baseline values. RESULTS: Irrespective of the treatment group, mean values for plasma renin concentrations at hospital discharge did not differ from their respective baseline values (p=0.10). Baseline plasma levels of renin concentrations did not differ between the terlipressin and albumin groups (p=0.61). Changes from baseline in plasma renin concentrations did not differ between groups (p=0.39). Three patients in the terlipressin group and three in the albumin group developed decreased arterial blood volume. CONCLUSIONS: This randomised pilot study suggests that terlipressin may be as effective as intravenous albumin in preventing a decrease in effective arterial blood volume in patients with cirrhosis treated by paracentesis for tense ascites.

Ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma arising in the left chest wall: a long-term follow-up.

We report the case of a 66-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C and a slowly growing left chest wall mass. Two years after the patient first noticed the mass, it was resected. A diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was established. The liver was studied by ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography, but no mass was found. Blind liver biopsy showed mild chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis or HCC. Three years after the discovery of the chest wall HCC, no liver mass had appeared at CT and MRI. We conclude that solitary extrahepatic HCC (i) may arise in ectopic liver tissue; (ii) should not be considered as a metastasis of an occult HCC; and (iii) can be amenable to cure through resection.

Haemobilia causing acute pancreatitis after percutaneous liver biopsy: diagnosis by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has received much attention as a non-invasive alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, primarily for investigation of choledocholithiasis, but also for evaluation of less common biliary anomalies. We present a case of haemobilia causing acute pancreatitis after percutaneous liver biopsy in which the diagnosis could be made clearly by MRCP, thus avoiding endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy.

Relationships between haemodynamic alterations and the development of ascites or refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with cirrhosis, the relationships between haemodynamic alterations and the development of ascites or the occurrence of refractory ascites are unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare haemodynamic measurements obtained in patients with non-refractory ascites to haemodynamic measurements obtained in patients without ascites and in patients with refractory ascites. METHODS: A cohort of 121 patients was prospectively studied, of whom 29 patients did not have ascites, 45 had non-refractory ascites and 47 had refractory ascites. Splanchnic, renal and systemic haemodynamics were measured in all patients. RESULTS: The hepatic venous pressure gradient was significantly higher in patients with non-refractory ascites than in patients without ascites (18.5 +/- 0.8 mmHg versus 15.8 +/- 0.7 mmHg). Renal and systemic haemodynamics did not significantly differ between patients with non-refractory ascites and patients without ascites. The glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow were significantly lower in patients with refractory ascites than in patients with non-refractory ascites (77 +/- 4 versus 107 +/- 5 ml/min and 867 +/- 62 versus 1,008 +/- 68 ml/min, respectively). Splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics did not significantly differ between patients with refractory ascites and patients with non-refractory ascites. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis, an increase in portal hypertension was the sole haemodynamic alteration related to the development of ascites. Renal vasoconstriction (and subsequent renal hypoperfusion and hypofiltration) was the only haemodynamic alteration related to the occurrence of refractory ascites. The development of ascites or refractory ascites was not associated with any alteration in systemic haemodynamics.

Current outcome of portal vein thrombosis in adults: risk and benefit of anticoagulant therapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The outcome of portal vein thrombosis in relation to associated prothrombotic states has not been evaluated. We assessed current outcome and predictors of bleeding and thrombotic events in a cohort of 136 adults with nonmalignant, noncirrhotic portal vein thrombosis, of whom 84 received anticoagulant therapy. METHODS: Multivariate Cox model analysis for event-free survival and analysis taking into account multiple events were used. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 46 months. The incidence rate of gastrointestinal bleeding was 12.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10-15) per 100 patient-years. Large varices were an independent predictor for bleeding. Anticoagulant therapy did not increase the risk or the severity of bleeding. The incidence rate of thrombotic events was 5.5 (95% CI, 3.8-7.2) per 100 patient-years. Underlying prothrombotic state and absence of anticoagulant therapy were independent predictors for thrombosis. In patients with underlying prothrombotic state, the incidence rates of splanchnic venous infarction were 0.82 and 5.2 per 100 patient-years in periods with and without anticoagulant therapy, respectively (P = 0.01). Two nonanticoagulated patients died of bleeding and thrombosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with portal vein thrombosis, the risk of thrombosis is currently as clinically significant as the risk of bleeding. The benefit-risk ratio favors anticoagulant therapy.

Recent portal or mesenteric venous thrombosis: increased recognition and frequent recanalization on anticoagulant therapy.

Characteristics and outcomes of recent portal or mesenteric venous thrombosis are ill-known. We intended to compare these features with those of patients with portal cavernoma, and also to assess the incidence of recanalization of recent thrombosis on anticoagulation therapy. All patients seen between 1983 and 1999 were enrolled into this retrospective study if recent portal or mesenteric venous thrombosis or portal cavernoma had been documented, and if cancer of the liver, pancreas, or bile duct, intrahepatic block including cirrhosis, and obstruction of the hepatic veins had been ruled out. The proportion of recent thrombosis was 7% in patients seen before 1990 and 56% after 1994 (P <.05). Patients with recent thrombosis (n = 33) or cavernoma (n = 108) did not differ with regard to age, sex ratio, or prevalence of prothrombotic states and of previous thrombotic events. In patients with recent thrombosis, septic pylephlebitis was more common and the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding was lower (2.4 vs. 12.7/100 patient-years). Recanalization occurred in 25 of 27 patients given anticoagulation and 0 of 2 patients not given anticoagulation. The probability of recanalization was related to the extent of thrombosis (P =.003). In conclusion, mesenteric or portal venous thrombosis is increasingly recognized at an early stage. The features differentiating recent thrombosis and cavernoma are related to silent onset precluding early recognition and therapy in the latter. Frequent association with prothrombotic states and frequent recanalization on anticoagulation support the recommendation of early anticoagulation therapy in all patients with recent portal vein thrombosis.