Associations between primary care practice type and patient-reported access.

BACKGROUND: We recently defined a global typology of primary care (PC) in Switzerland using a mixed inductive/deductive approach to construct latent, composite variables that summarize variance between practices. Now we explore associations between the primary variable that describes the comprehensiveness of services and patient-perceived access to PC in Switzerland. METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were administered to physicians from the Swiss PC Active Monitoring (SPAM) network and their patients. The primary outcomes were patient responses to: "Was it easy to get the appointment?", "The opening hours are too restricted" and "In the past 12 months, did you postpone or abstain from a visit to this doctor or another GP when you needed one?" Multivariate, multilevel analyses with stepwise regression were used to assess associations between practice type (practices with a broader range of services have higher scores) and perceived access, controlling for patient characteristics. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety nine of 200 PC physicians in the network completed the questionnaire. Of 2628 patients approached after a physician visit, 1791 accepted (participation = 76%), with 9 patients at each practice. No association was observed between comprehensiveness of services and difficulty getting an appointment. When controlling for patient factors, there was a weak association between higher scores for comprehensiveness of services and patients reporting that the opening hours are too restricted (p = 0.05), though this was no longer significant after controlling for language area. Greater comprehensiveness of services was associated with fewer patients needing to postpone visits (OR 0.93, 95%CI 0.88-0.99, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Though fewer patients report needing to postpone visits at practices with more comprehensive offering of services, there is limited evidence of associations between patient-reported access and a global typology of Swiss primary care.

Uterine rupture following termination of pregnancy in a scarred uterus.

We present a series of two cases complicated by uterine rupture following termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the 1st and 2nd trimesters using misoprostol in women with caesarean section scar. Current literature and practise have also been reviewed on ruptured uterus in women with caesarean section scar undergoing TOP using misoprostol; the diagnosis of adherent placenta in the 1st and 2nd trimesters in women with previous caesarean uterine scar; and likely implications of a ruptured uterus.

Two cases of food-borne botulism in Finland caused by conserved olives, October 2011.

In October 2011 in Finland, two persons fell ill with symptoms compatible with botulism after having eaten conserved olives stuffed with almonds. One of these two died. Clostridium botulinum type B and its neurotoxin were detected in the implicated olives by PCR and mouse bioassay, respectively. The olives were traced back to an Italian manufacturer and withdrawn from the market. The public and other European countries were informed through media and Europe-wide notifications.

Improved survival in pregnancy and pulmonary hypertension using a multiprofessional approach.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy in women with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is reported to carry a maternal mortality rate of 30-56%. We report our experience of the management of pregnancies using a strategy of early introduction of targeted pulmonary vascular therapy and early planned delivery under regional anaesthesia. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Specialist quaternary referral pulmonary vascular unit. POPULATION: Nine women with PH who chose to proceed with ten pregnancies. METHODS: A retrospective review of the management of all women who chose to continue with their pregnancy in our unit during 2002-2009. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal and fetal survival. RESULTS: All women commenced nebulised targeted therapy at 8-34 weeks of gestation. Four women required additional treatment or conversion to intravenous prostanoid therapy. All women were delivered between 26 and 37 weeks of gestation. Delivery was by planned caesarean section in nine cases. All women received regional anaesthesia and were monitored during the peripartum period in a critical care setting. There was no maternal mortality during pregnancy and all infants were free from congenital abnormalities. One woman died 4 weeks after delivery following patient-initiated discontinuation of therapy. All remaining women and infants were alive after a median of 3.2 years (range, 0.8-6.5 years) of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although the risk of mortality in pregnant women with PH remains significant, we describe improved outcomes in fully counselled women who chose to continue with pregnancy and were managed with a tailored multiprofessional approach involving early introduction of targeted therapy, early planned delivery and regional anaesthetic techniques.

Obstetric outcome of teenage pregnancies from 2002 to 2008: the Sheffield experience.

We compared the obstetric outcome of 1,922 teenage pregnant women with a control population of 10,550 women aged 20-39 years. The teenage women had a significantly higher normal vaginal delivery rate (65% vs 45%; RR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.38-1.49; p < 0.001) and a lower operative delivery rate compared with control women (elective caesarean section: 1.7% vs 4.9%, RR 0.347, 95% CI: 0.25-0.49, p < 0.001; emergency caesarean section: 13.3% vs 22.9%, RR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.51-0.65, p < 0.001; instrumental delivery: 19.3% vs 26.3%, RR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.66-0.81, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the pre-term delivery rate or in the stillbirth rate between the two groups. When stratified further, there was no difference in the pre-term delivery rate and low birth weight rate between teenage mothers aged 13-17 years and those aged 17-19 years. Teenage pregnant women have better obstetric performance in terms of mode of delivery without an increased risk of stillbirth or prematurity compared with older women.

Successful pregnancy and delivery following a Malone antegrade continence enema procedure.

Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) procedures are an effective treatment for both intractable faecal incontinence and constipation of neurogenic aetiology and have traditionally been used in a paediatric setting. MACE procedures are now being performed more commonly in adults suffering idiopathic chronic constipation where they are also effective. Increasing use in otherwise healthy adult females raises concerns about the durability of the appendiceal conduit should the patient become pregnant. We report the first case of successful pregnancy after a MACE procedure with an umbilical stoma and discuss the impact of the pregnancy on MACE function.

[Smoking cessation: How can we involve patients better in treatment choice?] / Arrêt du tabac : comment mieux impliquer le patient dans le choix du traitement.

Counseling and pharmacotherapy are smoking cessation interventions whose effectiveness has been widely demonstrated. Different pharmacologic treatment options exist with similar efficacy : notably nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and bupropion. Providers can promote therapeutic adherence and the chances of successful quitting by involving patients in the choice of medication and incorporating their preferences in the decision process. The concept of shared decision-making is based on an exchange between doctor and patient in medical situations with several reasonable options. Decision aids support this approach by facilitating the transmission of information, communication and patient involvement. Despite opportunities for shared decision-making during the smoking cessation process, few decision aids are available. This article summarizes current knowledge in this field and its application to the process of smoking cessation. Shared decision making in smoking cessation is illustrated by a decision aid created to facilitate the choice between different smoking cessation medications.

What's new in...obstetrics and gynaecology.

This article outlines some recent advances in both obstetrics and gynaecology. In obstetrics, the new screening tests for Down's syndrome and the introduction of computer analysis of the fetal ECG are discussed. Cervical screening and the role of human papilloma virus detection is examined and advances in the non-surgical management of menorrhaghia and improvements in the management of urinary stress incontinence are also reviewed.

Simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus infections: diagnosis challenge in a returning traveller with nonspecific febrile illness.

Zika virus is an emerging flavivirus that is following the path of dengue and chikungunya. The three Aedes-borne viruses cause simultaneous outbreaks with similar clinical manifestations which represents a diagnostic challenge in ill returning travellers. We report the first Zika virus infection case imported to Switzerland and present a diagnostic algorithm.

Cerebrospinal fluid free choline in movement disorders of paediatric onset.

We measured free choline in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 78 patients with movement disorders of paediatric onset and various controls as a putative index of central phospholipid metabolism. Most of the disorders studied were myoclonic disorders, such as progressive myoclonus epilepsy, the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, and essential myoclonus, but other movement disorders, interictal seizure disorders, and different neurological and nonneurological disorders were also included. There were no significant differences in CSF choline concentrations in myoclonic disorders or other movement disorders compared with controls. The CSF choline levels were lowest in children with seizure disorders including progressive myoclonus epilepsy. In progressive myoclonus epilepsy, the CSF choline values resembled other epileptic disorders rather than other myoclonic disorders. When all the data were analysed collectively, no significant relation of CSF choline was found to patient age, gender, aliquot of CSF measured, or the length of time the sample was stored at -70 degrees C. Separate analyses of data from children and adults showed a trend toward a biphasic relation between patient age and CSF choline which could be pursued in developmental studies of normal subjects. Reduced CSF choline may indicate increased choline incorporation into brain phospholipids, disturbances of choline metabolism, decreased choline release, or non-neural factors.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the calcaneus: preliminary assessment of trabecular bone-dependent regional variations in marrow relaxation time compared with dual X-ray absorptiometry.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Marrow transverse relaxation time (T2*) in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be related to the density and structure of the surrounding trabecular network. We investigated regional variations of T2* in the human calcaneus and compared the findings with bone mineral density (BMD), as measured by dual X-ray absorpiometry (DXA). Short- and long-term precisions were evaluated first to determine whether MR imaging would be useful for the clinical assessment of disease status and progression in osteoporosis. METHODS: Gradient-recalled echo MR images of the calcaneus were acquired at 1.5 T from six volunteers. Measurements of T2* were compared with BMD and (for one volunteer) conventional radiography. RESULTS: T2* values showed significant regional variation; they typically were shortest in the superior region of the calcaneus. There was a linear correlation between MR and DXA measurements (r = .66 for 1/T2* versus BMD). Differences in T2* attributable to variations in analysis region-of-interest placement were not significant for five of the six volunteers. Sagittal MR images had short- and long-term precision errors of 4.2% and 3.3%, respectively. For DXA, the precision was 1.3% (coefficient of variation). CONCLUSION: MR imaging may be useful for trabecular bone assessment in the calcaneus. However, given the large regional variations in bone density and structure, the choice of an ROI is likely to play a major role in the accuracy, precision, and overall clinical efficacy of T2* measurements.

Effects of lovastatin and pravastatin on cognitive function in military aircrew.

BACKGROUND: As evidence has accumulated for the role of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in the primary prevention of coronary artery disease, younger individuals with no other co-morbid conditions will be increasingly exposed to these agents. Some HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have been reported to cause impairment of daytime cognitive processes that have the potential to directly impact the ability of pilots and other aircrew to perform. These studies suggested that there might be cognitive effects of these medications that would argue against their routine use in populations whose activities required high, sustained levels of cognitive performance. The objective of this study is to establish the effects of pravastatin and lovastatin on aircrew daytime cognitive function using tests that are correlated with actual cockpit tasks and inflight performance. METHODS: Military aircrew with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled in the study and assigned to lovastatin, pravastatin or placebo groups. Baseline cognitive and vigilance testing was performed with computerized test instruments. Following a 4-wk treatment period, subjects were retested on both cognitive and vigilance tasks. RESULTS: Laboratory studies confirmed that both medications were effective in lowering cholesterol. No major treatment-related side effects were encountered. Cognitive performance was not affected by either active treatment, and was not different from that of the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: The tested medications did not have significant effects on performance as measured by two computerized performance tests. The data suggest that neither medication has significant effects on flight-related performance.

The effects of single-dose fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, and placebo on cognitive performance in flight personnel.

BACKGROUND: Sedation and functional impairments are side effects associated with the use of first-generation antihistamines that preclude their use in aviation. Selected second-generation antihistamines do not have such side effects and have been proposed for use in aircrew. METHODS: Forty-two healthy naval aviation personnel served as subjects in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. Subjective drowsiness, cognitive performance, and vigilance were measured under three conditions: 180 mg fexofenadine (F), 50 mg diphenhydramine (D) as a positive control, or placebo (P). RESULTS: Subjects receiving F vs. D tended to have a faster mean hit reaction time (adjusted mean difference +/- SE, -10.5 +/- 6.8 ms, p = 0.127). Subjects performed faster and better with F vs. D on measures of omission errors and commission errors (p < 0.05). Variable symbol digit coding delayed recall accuracy was better for F vs. D (p = 0.023), and approached significance for shifting attention and divided attention tasks (p = 0.062 and p = 0.057, respectively). Subjects reported significantly more drowsiness (p < 0.005) with D than F. CONCLUSIONS: Diphenhydramine administration resulted in significant psychomotor decrements compared with fexofenadine, while the effects of fexofenadine were similar to placebo. These results provide additional support for the safe use of fexofenadine by aviation personnel.

Rapidly progressive neurological deterioration in a child with Alpers syndrome exhibiting a previously unremarkable brain MRI.

Alpers syndrome is a fatal disorder due to mutations in the POLG gene encoding the catalytic subunit of mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (Pol gamma) involved in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication. We describe a case of Alpers syndrome due to POLG mutations, with rapidly progressive course, a fatal outcome, and an essentially normal brain MRI in the early oligo-symptomatic phase. Our observation suggests that Alpers syndrome should be considered even in patients with an initially unremarkable brain MRI. The patient was found to harbor the p.Q497H, p.W748S and p.E1143G mutations in cis on one allele, and a fourth mutation, the p.G848S on the other allele. Although the individual mutations detected in the presented case have been previously reported, the specific genotype formed by the particular combination of these is novel.

Longitudinal study of thyroid function in Down's syndrome in the first two decades.

AIMS AND METHODS: Thyroid function tests were initially carried out on 122 children with Down's syndrome aged 6-14 years and then repeated four to six years later in 103 adolescents (85% of the group of 122) when they were aged 10-20 years (median 14.4 years). At the second test two were hypothyroid and two with isolated raised thyroid stimulating hormone (IR-TSH) were receiving thyroxine. RESULTS: At the first test there were 98 (80%) euthyroid children: 83 were retested and four (5%) had IR-TSH. At the first test 24 had IR-TSH: 20 were retested and 14 (70%) had become normal. Seventeen with IR-TSH on initial testing had a thyrotrophin releasing hormone test within three months; TSH had become normal in eight (47%) of these children. There was no association between reported clinical symptoms and IR-TSH, but there were clear symptoms in one of the two with definite hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood ratio for a positive result on second testing when raised TSH and positive antibody status on first testing are combined is 20. This suggests initial testing results could be used as a basis to select a subgroup for further testing at say five yearly intervals unless new symptoms emerge in the interim. It also suggests that yearly screening (as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001) is probably not justified in the first 20 years of life.

The cellulase of Trichoderma viride. Separation of the components involved in the solubilization of cotton.

1. Culture filtrates from Trichoderma viride have been fractionated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 followed by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE- and SE-Sephadex. 2. The components essential for attack on cotton are a carboxymethylcellulase, a cellobiase and a third (C(1)) component which has no action on CM-cellulose, cellobiose or cotton. 3. These components, which together can completely convert cotton into water-soluble products, lose this ability when separated and regain it quantitatively when recombined in their original proportions.