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PURPOSE: The Covid-19 pandemic may have encouraged at-risk patients to get vaccinated against influenza for the first time. As previous vaccinations are known predictors for further vaccinations, knowledge about individual vaccination patterns, especially in first time vaccinated patients, is of great interest. The aim of this study was to determine influenza vaccination uptake rate (VUR), individual vaccination patterns and factors associated with vaccination uptake among at-risk patients. METHODS: The study design was retrospective cross-sectional. Based on claims data, VUR was determined for four influenza seasons (2018/2019-2021/2022). In a cohort subgroup, with data available for all seasons, VUR, vaccination patterns and factors associated with uptake were determined. At-risk patients were people aged ≥ 65 and adult patients with chronic diseases. RESULTS: We included n = 238,461 patients in the cross-sectional analysis. Overall VUR ranged between 21.8% (2018/2019) and 29.1% (2020/2021). Cohort subgroup consisted of n = 138,526 patients. Within the cohort, 56% were never vaccinated and 11% were vaccinated in all seasons. 14.3% of previously unvaccinated patients were vaccinated for the first time in the first pandemic season (2020/2021 season). The strongest predictor for vaccination was history of vaccinations in all previous seasons (OR 56.20, 95%CI 53.62-58.90, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Influenza VUR increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, but only a minority of previously eligible but unvaccinated at-risk patients were vaccinated for the first time in the first pandemic season. Previous vaccinations are predictors for subsequent vaccinations and health care professionals should actively address at-risk patients' vaccination history in order to recommend vaccination in future seasons.
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COVID-19 , Vacunas contra la Influenza , Gripe Humana , Vacunación , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Estudios Retrospectivos , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/epidemiología , Masculino , Femenino , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Gripe Humana/epidemiología , Vacunas contra la Influenza/administración & dosificación , Anciano , Vacunación/estadística & datos numéricos , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Adulto , PandemiasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections are one of the most common reasons for prescribing antibiotics in primary care. Current guidelines recommend fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, or trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazol as empiric first line antimicrobial agents in uncomplicated infections. However, there is evidence that the use of fluoroquinolones, which are no longer recommended, is still inappropriate high. We determined antibiotic prescription patterns, quality and factors affecting antibiotic prescriptions in urinary tract infections in primary care in Switzerland. METHODS: From June 2017 to August 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study in patients suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI). Patient and general practitioners characteristics as well as antibiotic prescribing patterns were analysed. RESULTS: Antibiotic prescribing patterns in 1.352 consecutively recruited patients, treated in 163 practices could be analysed. In 950 (84.7%) patients with an uncomplicated UTI the prescriptions were according to current guidelines and therefore rated as appropriate. Fluoroquinolones were prescribed in 13.8% and therefore rated as inappropriate. In multivariable analysis, the age of the general practitioner was associated with increasing odds of prescribing a not guideline recommended antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high degree of guideline conform antibiotic prescriptions in patients with an uncomplicated urinary tract infection in primary care in Switzerland. However, there is still a substantial use of fluoroquinolones in empiric therapy.
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Antibacterianos , Prescripción Inadecuada , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina , Atención Primaria de Salud , Infecciones Urinarias , Antibacterianos/administración & dosificación , Antibacterianos/clasificación , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Adhesión a Directriz , Humanos , Prescripción Inadecuada/prevención & control , Prescripción Inadecuada/estadística & datos numéricos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/normas , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/estadística & datos numéricos , Atención Primaria de Salud/métodos , Atención Primaria de Salud/normas , Atención Primaria de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Indicadores de Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Suiza/epidemiología , Infecciones Urinarias/diagnóstico , Infecciones Urinarias/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones Urinarias/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) remain a challenging complication after shoulder arthroplasty. The antimicrobial peptide α-defensin has been proposed as a new synovial fluid biomarker in diagnosing PJIs. To date, only little data are available on the diagnostic accuracy of α-defensin in shoulder PJIs; thus, we aimed to evaluate its diagnostic value in a cohort of patients with a suspected shoulder PJI. METHODS: Between June 2016 and June 2018, we prospectively enrolled patients with a diagnostic shoulder aspiration due to painful shoulder arthroplasty or planned revision surgery. PJI diagnostics were performed according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. All patients with an antibiotic therapy within two weeks before enrollment, insufficient amount of synovial aspirate, or bloody aspiration were excluded. α-Defensin was measured in the synovial fluid using the α-defensin lateral flow (ADLF) test (Synovasure®). RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, we could include 29 (59% female) patients with a mean age of 70 (range, 50-92) years. A shoulder PJI was detected in five cases (Staphylococcus aureus, n = 2; Staphylococcus epidermidis, n = 2; Cutibacterium acnes, n = 1). The ADLF test was positive in seven out of 29 cases. According to the MSIS criteria, the ADLF test was false-negative in two patients and false-positive in four patients, resulting in sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of 60%, 83%, 43%, and 91%, respectively. The overall accuracy was 79%. CONCLUSION: The ALDF test does not appear to be useful in predicting shoulder PJIs but may be used as an additional diagnostic factor in rejecting these infections.
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Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/diagnóstico , alfa-Defensinas/sangre , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antibacterianos , Artritis Infecciosa/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/epidemiología , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/microbiología , Reoperación , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Hombro , Articulación del Hombro , Líquido SinovialRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common reasons for prescribing antibiotics in primary care. In Switzerland, the Swiss Center for Antibiotic Resistances (ANRESIS) provides resistance data by passive surveillance, which overestimates the true resistance rates. The aim of this study was to provide actual data of the antimicrobial resistance patterns in patients with UTI in Swiss primary care. METHODS: From June 2017 to August 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 163 practices in Switzerland. We determined the resistance patterns of uropathogens in patients with a diagnosis of a lower UTI and analyzed risk factors for resistance. Patients with age < 18 years, pregnancy or a pyelonephritis were excluded. RESULTS: 1352 patients (mean age 53.8, 94.9% female) were included in the study. 1210 cases (89.5%) were classified as uncomplicated UTI. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most frequent pathogen (74.6%). Susceptibility proportions of E. coli to ciprofloxacin (88.9%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazol (TMP/SMX) (85.7%) were significantly higher than the proportions reported by ANRESIS. We found high susceptibility to the recommended first-line antibiotics nitrofurantoin (99.5%) and fosfomycin (99.4%). Increasing age, antimicrobial exposure and a recent travel history were independently associated with resistance. DISCUSSION: In this study, we report actual data on the resistance patterns of uropathogens in primary care in Switzerland. Escherichia coli showed low resistance rates to the recommended first-line antibiotics. Resistance to TMP/SMX was significantly lower than reported by ANRESIS, making TMP/SMX a suitable and cheap alternative for the empirical treatment.
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Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Infecciones Urinarias/epidemiología , Espera Vigilante , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Atención Primaria de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Suiza/epidemiología , Infecciones Urinarias/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
We describe an aortic endograft infection caused by Mycobacterium chimaera and Granulicatella adiacens, successfully treated with prolonged antimicrobial drug therapy after complete explantation of the infected endoprosthesis and extra-anatomical reconstruction. Whole-genome sequencing analysis did not indicate a close relationship to bacterial strains known to cause infections after cardiac surgery.
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Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/diagnóstico , Micobacterias no Tuberculosas/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/diagnóstico , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Aorta Abdominal , Aneurisma de la Aorta/cirugía , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/microbiología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/diagnóstico , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/tratamiento farmacológico , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/microbiología , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/microbiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Shared decision-making (SDM) is recommended for men facing prostate cancer (PC) screening decisions. We synthesize the evidence on the comparative effectiveness of SDM with usual care. METHODS: We searched academic and grey literature databases, and other sources for primary randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English comparing SDM to usual care and conducted in primary and specialised care. We assessed the individual study risk of bias, and calculated the study-specific and pooled relative risks (RR) or standardised mean differences (SMD) [with 95% confidence intervals (CI)] to perform random-effects meta-analyses for SDM-related and patient outcomes. RESULTS: Four RCTs comparing SDM to usual care, involving 1760 men, were included. SDM improved knowledge (SMD 0.23, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.43; 2 RCTs), but was not different to usual care in reducing either patient participation in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing (RR 1.03, 95%CI 0.90 to 1.19; 2 RCTs) or decisional conflict (SMD -0.04, 95%CI -0.23 to 0.15; SMD -0.05, 95%CI -0.24 to 0.14; 2 RCTs). Individual trial estimates (46.7%) also suggest that SDM may reduce or neutralise physicians' tendency for PSA screening, and may improve the accuracy of patients' perception of lifetime-risks and men's views towards screening. There was no evidence on the effects of SDM on health outcomes. The studies represent various interventions and outcomes and are prone to risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently insufficient evidence to support a clear association of SDM on patient- and SDM-related outcomes for decisions about PSA testing. Further research needs to assess the clinical effectiveness of SDM using well-defined SDM interventions and outcomes. It should address the absence of evidence, particularly on health outcomes.
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Following publication of the original article [1], the authors notified us of a misleading data presentation in Table 4.
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Background: Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) particularly affected older adults, with the highest risks for nursing home residents. Stringent governmental protective measures for nursing homes unintendedly led to social isolation of residents. Nursing home directors (NDs) found themselves in a dilemma between implementing protective measures and preventing the social isolation of nursing home residents. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe protective measures implemented, to investigate NDs' perception of social isolation and its burden for nursing home residents due to these measures, and to explore experiences of NDs in the context of the dilemma. Methods: Cross-sectional embedded mixed-method study carried out by an online survey between April 27 and June 09, 2022, among NDs in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The survey consisted of 84 closed-ended and nine open-ended questions. Quantitative findings were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitative data were evaluated using content analysis. Results: The survey was completed by 398 NDs (62.8% female, mean age 55 [48-58] years) out of 1'044 NDs invited.NDs were highly aware of the dilemma. The measures perceived as the most troublesome were restrictions to leave rooms, wards or the home, restrictions for visitors, and reduced group activities. NDs and their teams developed a variety of strategies to cope with the dilemma, but were burdened themselves by the dilemma. Conclusion: As NDs were burdened themselves by the responsibility of how to deal best with the dilemma between protective measures and social isolation, supportive strategies for NDs are needed.
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COVID-19 , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Estudios Transversales , Casas de Salud , Pandemias/prevención & control , Aislamiento Social , Suiza/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Patient information leaflets can reduce antibiotic prescription rates by improving knowledge and encouraging shared decision making (SDM) in patients with respiratory tract infections (RTI). The effect of these interventions in antibiotic low-prescriber settings is unknown. We conducted a pragmatic pre-/post interventional study between October 2022 and March 2023 in Swiss outpatient care. The intervention was the provision of patient leaflets informing about RTIs and antibiotics use. Main outcomes were the extent of SDM, antibiotic prescription rates, and patients' awareness/knowledge about antibiotic use in RTIs. 408 patients participated in the pre-intervention period, and 315 patients in the post- intervention period. There was no difference in the extent of SDM (mean score (range 0-100): 65.86 vs. 64.65, p = 0.565), nor in antibiotic prescription rates (no prescription: 89.8% vs. 87.2%, p = 0.465) between the periods. Overall awareness/knowledge among patients with RTI was high and leaflets showed only a small effect on overall awareness/knowledge. In conclusion, in an antibiotic low-prescriber setting, patient information leaflets may improve knowledge, but may not affect treatment decisions nor antibiotic prescription rates for RTIs.
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Toma de Decisiones Conjunta , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio , Humanos , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/tratamiento farmacológico , Prescripciones de Medicamentos , Publicaciones , Pautas de la Práctica en MedicinaRESUMEN
This study presents the perspective of an international group of experts, providing an overview of existing models and policies and guidance to facilitate a proper and sustainable implementation of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP POCT) to support antibiotic prescribing decisions for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) with the aim to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR threatens to render life-saving antibiotics ineffective and is already costing millions of lives and billions of Euros worldwide. AMR is strongly correlated with the volume of antibiotics used. Most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care, mostly for RTIs, and are often unnecessary. CRP POCT is an available tool and has been proven to safely and cost-effectively reduce antibiotic prescribing for RTIs in primary care. Though established in a few European countries during several years, it has still not been implemented in many European countries. Due to the complexity of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing behavior, a multifaceted approach is necessary to enable sustainable change. The effect is maximized with clear guidance, advanced communication training for primary care physicians, and delayed antibiotic prescribing strategies. CRP POCT should be included in professional guidelines and implemented together with complementary strategies. Adequate reimbursement needs to be provided, and high-quality, and primary care-friendly POCT organization and performance must be enabled. Data gathering, sharing, and discussion as incentivization for proper behaviors should be enabled. Public awareness should be increased, and healthcare professionals' awareness and understanding should be ensured. Impactful use is achieved when all stakeholders join forces to facilitate proper implementation.
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Antibacterianos , Proteína C-Reactiva , Pruebas en el Punto de Atención , Atención Primaria de Salud , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio , Humanos , Proteína C-Reactiva/análisis , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/diagnóstico , Europa (Continente) , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
AIMS OF THE STUDY: Upper respiratory tract infections are among the most common reasons for primary care consultations. They are diagnosed predominantly based on clinical assessment. Here, we investigated the benefit of viral metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in an outpatient setting. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included immunocompetent patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections. General practitioners collected pharyngeal swabs and demographic and clinical data. Specimens were analysed using viral mNGS and conventional tests. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-seven patients were recruited by 21 general practitioners between 10/2019 and 12/2020, of which 91% had a suspected viral aetiology. For 138 patients (49.8%), mNGS identified one or more respiratory viruses. The mNGS showed a high overall agreement with conventional routine diagnostic tests. Rhinoviruses were the most frequently detected respiratory viruses (20.2% of patients). Viral mNGS reflected the influenza wave in early 2020 and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic outbreak in Switzerland in March 2020. Notably, rhinoviruses continued to circulate despite non-pharmaceutical hygiene measures. CONCLUSIONS: Viral mNGS allowed the initial diagnosis to be retrospectively re-evaluated. Assuming reduced turnaround times, mNGS has the potential to directly guide the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. On an epidemiological level, our study highlights the utility of mNGS in respiratory infection surveillance, allowing early detection of epidemics and providing information crucial for prevention.
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COVID-19 , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio , Humanos , Pacientes Ambulatorios , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Estudios Transversales , Estudios Prospectivos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Suiza/epidemiología , COVID-19/epidemiología , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/epidemiología , Secuenciación de Nucleótidos de Alto RendimientoRESUMEN
Importance: Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage rates lie below desired thresholds in Switzerland. Because general practitioners are the main contact for the relatively rare health issues of many Swiss young adults, primary care offers an important opportunity to provide catch-up human papillomavirus vaccination. Objective: To examine the knowledge, experiences, and attitudes of Swiss university students in the context of receiving human papillomavirus vaccination during primary care visits. Design, Setting, and Participants: This self-administered, cross-sectional, web-based survey study was conducted among students of 3 universities and 1 educational institution for health professions in the Swiss Canton of Zurich. Specific questions about human papillomavirus vaccination experience were directed to respondents who had received at least 1 dose administered by a general practitioner. Responses were collected during 12-week intervals between November 11, 2020, and April 7, 2021, and data were analyzed from August 3 to August 30, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was whether human papillomavirus vaccination had been administered on the patient's or the general practitioner's initiative. Results: The responses of 5524 participants (median [IQR] age, 23 [21-25] years; 3878 women [70.2%]) were analyzed. The survey completion rate was 90.9% (5524 of 6076 students who consented to participate). A total of 2029 respondents (1792 women [46.2%] and 237 men [14.6%]) reported having received at least 1 human papillomavirus vaccination dose, of whom 740 (36.5%) had received at least 1 dose administered by a general practitioner. Among these, 190 respondents (25.7%) reported that vaccine administration had occurred on their request rather than on their general practitioner's initiative. Among all respondents, 4778 (86.5%) wanted to obtain more information about human papillomavirus vaccination at a general practitioner's office, and 2569 (55.3%) rated acute consultations in general practice as inappropriate for addressing human papillomavirus vaccination. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this survey study of Swiss university students suggest that primary care shows a high potential for increasing human papillomavirus vaccination coverage rates in Switzerland. However, there was room for improvement in the proactivity of general practitioners, especially with men, and in the attitudes of students toward the appropriateness of acute consultations in general practice for addressing human papillomavirus vaccination.
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Infecciones por Papillomavirus , Vacunas contra Papillomavirus , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino , Masculino , Adulto Joven , Humanos , Femenino , Adulto , Universidades , Virus del Papiloma Humano , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/complicaciones , Estudios Transversales , Suiza , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Vacunación , Estudiantes , Atención Primaria de SaludRESUMEN
Background: Swiss national surveillance of influenza vaccination uptake rates (VURs) relies on self-reported vaccination status. The aim of this study was to determine VURs among at-risk patients, namely, patients ≥65 of age and adult patients with chronic diseases, using claims data, instead of self-reported measures, to investigate factors of vaccine uptake, and to assess different methodological approaches to conduct vaccination surveillance. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional analysis, we determined VURs in three influenza seasons (2015/2016-2017/2018). Medication, diagnosis, or medical services claims were used as triggers to identify patients. For the calculation of VURs in patients with chronic diseases, we identified those by triggers in the given season only (Model 1) and in the given and previous seasons (Model 2). Regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with vaccination status. Results: Data from 214,668 individual patients were analyzed. VURs over all seasons ranged from 18.4% to 19.8%. Most patients with chronic diseases were identified with the medication trigger, and we found no clinical significant differences in VURs comparing both models. Having a chronic disease, age, male gender, and regular health care provider visits were associated with increased odds of being vaccinated. Conclusions: VURs were below the recommended thresholds, and our analysis highlighted the need for efforts to increase VURs. We assessed the identification of chronic diseases by medication claims and the calculation of VURs based on data of the given season only as an effective approach to conduct vaccination surveillance. Claims data-based surveillance may complete the national surveillance.
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Vacunas contra la Influenza , Gripe Humana , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Gripe Humana/epidemiología , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Gripe Humana/tratamiento farmacológico , Vacunas contra la Influenza/uso terapéutico , Suiza/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Estudios Retrospectivos , Vacunación , Estaciones del Año , Enfermedad CrónicaRESUMEN
The world faces the threat of increasing antimicrobial resistance, and there is growing consensus that swift action must be taken to improve the rational use of antibiotics and increase the stewardship of antibiotics to safeguard this key resource in modern healthcare. This paper provides the perspective of an international group of experts on the role of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP POCT) and other complementary strategies to improve antibiotic stewardship in primary care, with regards to the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients presenting symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). It provides guidance regarding the clinical assessment of symptoms in combination with C-reactive protein (CRP) results, at the point of care, to support the management decision, and discusses enhanced patient communication and delayed prescribing as complementary strategies to decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Recommendation: CRP POCT should be promoted to improve the identification of adults presenting with symptoms of LRTIs in primary care who might gain additional benefit from antibiotic treatment. Appropriateness of antibiotic use can be maximized when CRP POCT is used together with complementary strategies such as enhanced communication skills training and delayed prescribing in addition to routine safety netting.
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This paper provides the perspective of an international group of experts on the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) and complementary strategies such as enhanced communication skills training and delayed prescribing to improve antibiotic stewardship in the primary care of children presenting with an acute illness episode due to an acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). To improve antibiotics prescribing decisions, CRP POCT should be considered to complement the clinical assessment of children (6 months to 14 years) presenting with an ARTI in a primary care setting. CRP POCT can help decide whether a serious infection can be ruled out, before deciding on further treatments or management, when clinical assessment is unconclusive. Based on the evidence currently available, a CRP value can be a valuable support for clinical reasoning and facilitate communication with patients and parents, but the clinical assessment should prevail when making a therapy or referral decision. Nearly half of children tested in the primary care setting can be expected to have a CRP value below 20â mg/l, in which case it is strongly suggested to avoid prescribing antibiotics when the clinical assessment supports ruling out a severe infection. For children with CRP values greater than or equal to 20â mg/l, additional measures such as additional diagnostic tests, observation time, re-assessment by a senior decision-maker, and specialty referrals, should be considered.
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Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders worldwide and a frequent cause for health care utilization with a high economic burden. A large proportion of diagnostic imaging in patients with LBP is inappropriate and can cause more harm than good, which in turn can lead to higher health care costs. The aim of this study was to determine characteristics and health care costs for patients with a diagnostic imaging for LBP in Switzerland. Groupe Mutuel, one of the biggest health care insurance companies in Switzerland and covering approximately 12% of the population, provided data for this analysis. Patients were identified by diagnostic imaging for the lumbar spine in 2016 or 2017. The study period was 2015-2019, that is one year before and two years after the year of imaging. Regression analysis models were used to identify patient variables associated with higher health care costs. A total of 75,296 patients (57% female, mean age: 54.5 years) were included into the study. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most commonly used diagnostic method (44.3%). Patients generated annual mean health care costs of 518,488,470 CHF (466,639,621 Euro) in the whole observation period; 640 million CHF (576 million Euro) in the index year. Overall, costs for LBP patients were 72% higher compared with the costs of no LBP patients. Our findings confirm the economic burden of LBP and highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to improve prevention, diagnostics and patient care in patients with LBP.
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Dolor de la Región Lumbar , Atención a la Salud , Diagnóstico por Imagen , Femenino , Costos de la Atención en Salud , Humanos , Dolor de la Región Lumbar/diagnóstico por imagen , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , SuizaRESUMEN
Understanding the decision-making strategies of general practitioners (GPs) could help reduce suboptimal antibiotic prescribing. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most common reason for inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in primary care, a key driver of antibiotic resistance (ABR). We conducted a nationwide prospective web-based survey to explore: (1) The role of C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) on antibiotic prescribing decision-making for RTIs using case vignettes; and (2) the knowledge, attitudes and barriers/facilitators of antibiotic prescribing using deductive analysis. Most GPs (92-98%) selected CRP-POCT alone or combined with other diagnostics. GPs would use lower CRP cut-offs to guide prescribing for (more) severe RTIs than for uncomplicated RTIs. Intermediate CRP ranges were significantly wider for uncomplicated than for (more) severe RTIs (p = 0.001). Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was the most frequently recommended antibiotic across all RTI case scenarios (65-87%). Faced with intermediate CRP results, GPs preferred 3-5-day follow-up to delayed prescribing or other clinical approaches. Patient pressure, diagnostic uncertainty, fear of complications and lack of ABR understanding were the most GP-reported barriers to appropriate antibiotic prescribing. Stewardship interventions considering CRP-POCT and the barriers and facilitators to appropriate prescribing could guide antibiotic prescribing decisions at the point of care.
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BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the actual gold standard for the radiological diagnosis of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI is not always available and many patients have contraindications. We evaluated the clinical value of 99mTc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT (AGS) in eight DFO patients who underwent MRI before. RESULTS: The goal was to have a better clinical view on the extent of bone infection and to ameliorate the surgical approach for DFO. However, this additional scintigraphy did not change anything in the clinical approach. CONCLUSION: We shared our experience with AGS for clinical management of complex DFO cases.
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Diabetes Mellitus , Pie Diabético , Osteomielitis , Pie Diabético/diagnóstico por imagen , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Osteomielitis/diagnóstico por imagen , Osteomielitis/etiología , Cintigrafía , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión de Fotón Único , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XRESUMEN
In Switzerland, the human papillomavirus vaccination (HPVv) coverage rate lies below a desirable threshold. General practitioners (GPs) and pediatricians have been recognized as important providers of the HPVv, but there is little known about their self-attributed role and its relationship with their actual HPVv behavior. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the awareness, attitudes, and clinical practices of Swiss GPs and pediatricians concerning HPVv by means of a web-based questionnaire. We analyzed the responses of 422 physicians (72% GPs, 28% pediatricians). A substantial proportion of respondents considered the HPVv "absolutely essential" (54.2% of pediatricians, 30.6% of GPs). GPs indicated spending more time and effort on HPVv counseling for female rather than male patients more often compared to pediatricians (44.0% versus 13.9%, p < 0.001). The weekly number of patients aged 18-26 years seen in practice (p = 0.002) and whether the HPVv was deemed "absolutely essential" (adjusted odds ratio 2.39, 95% confidence interval 1.12-5.08) were factors associated with GPs administering HPVv in their practice. Shortcomings in terms of awareness, effort in the identification of potential vaccination candidates, and the role of male patients were revealed. By addressing these gaps, Swiss primary care providers could contribute to an increase in the national HPVv coverage rate.
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PURPOSE: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent reasons for medical consultations. Literature suggests a large evidence-performance gap, especially regarding pain management. Therefore, the monitoring of treatment patterns is important to ensure high quality of treatment. This study aimed to describe treatment patterns specific to patients with diagnostic imaging of the spine for LBP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was retrospective observational and based on health claims data from 2015 to 2019 provided by a Swiss health insurance company covering around 12% of the population. Patients, ≥18 years of age, with diagnostic imaging of the spine were included and observed 12 months before and after imaging. Patients with back surgery or comorbidities associated with the use of pain medications were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 60,822 patients (mean age: 53.5 y, 56.1% female) were included and 85% received at least one pain medication. Of these, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, or opioids were prescribed in 88.6%, 70.7%, and 40.3% of patients, respectively. Strong opioids were used in 17% of patients given opioids. Patients with combinations of diagnostic imaging methods had the highest odds of receiving pain medication prescriptions (1.81, 95% CI: 1.66, 1.96, P < 0.001). Prescribed defined daily doses corresponded to short-term therapies. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of patients received non-opioid short-term therapies, we found a substantial use of opioids, and in particular, a relative high usage of strong opioids. Our results highlighted the importance of both patient and healthcare provider awareness regarding the prudent treatment of LBP.