RESUMO
GOALS: We aim to describe the efficacy, safety profile, and variables associated with survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib in South America. BACKGROUND: Sorafenib has been shown to improve survival in patients with advanced HCC. There are few data on sorafenib use for HCC in South America. STUDY: We performed a retrospective analysis of HCC cases treated with sorafenib from 8 medical centers in 5 South American countries, between January 2010 and June 2017. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), which was defined as time from sorafenib initiation to death or last follow-up. Risk factors for decreased OS were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression and log-rank tests. RESULTS: Of 1336 evaluated patients, 127 were treated with sorafenib and were included in the study. The median age of individuals was 65 years (interquartile range, 55 to 71) and 70% were male individuals. Median OS in all patients was 8 months (interquartile range, 2 to 17). Variables associated with survival on multivariate analysis were platelets >/<250,000 mm (2 vs. 8 mo, P=0.01) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (A/B, 13 vs. C/D, 6 mo; P=0.04). In a subanalysis of patients with BCLC stage C, platelets >/<250,000 mm were also independently associated with survival (2 vs. 5.5 mo, P=0.03). Patients lived longer if they experienced any side effects from sorafenib use (11 vs. 2 mo, P=0.009). Patients who stopped sorafenib because of side effects had shorter survival compared with patients who were able to tolerate side effects and continue treatment (7.5 vs. 13 mo, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment elevation of platelets and advanced BCLC stage were independently associated with poor survival on sorafenib in a South American cohort.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/administração & dosagem , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Sorafenibe/administração & dosagem , Idoso , Antineoplásicos/efeitos adversos , Plaquetas/metabolismo , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patologia , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Sorafenibe/efeitos adversos , América do Sul , Análise de Sobrevida , Taxa de Sobrevida , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Pulmonary hypertension, determined noninvasively by tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity on Doppler echocardiography, was previously identified in 25% of long-term survivors who received chest-directed radiotherapy. To validate noninvasively defined pulmonary hypertension, survivors (mean age 48 years), exposed to chest radiotherapy, underwent right heart catheterization with planned cardiopulmonary exercise testing during catheterization. Eight participants had an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure at rest (≥25 mm Hg) or with subsequent exercise (>30 mm Hg), evidence of hemodynamically confirmed pulmonary hypertension by right heart catheterization. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing further defined the magnitude and etiology of cardiopulmonary limitations in this life-threatening late effect.
Assuntos
Adultos Sobreviventes de Eventos Adversos na Infância , Cateterismo Cardíaco , Ecocardiografia Doppler , Hipertensão Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagem , Hipertensão Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/terapia , Adulto , Sobreviventes de Câncer , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Few global health experiences include intentionally-directed interprofessional training. We aim to prospectively evaluate the impact of a global health elective in facilitating interprofessional education (IPE) and promoting cultural sensitivity. METHODS: We included in our study, medical and nursing students who participated in the 2015 and 2016 cohorts of the Nicaragua Global Health course. The course consisted of a 12-week curriculum, and included an in-country immersion where students were organized into small-groups that participated in a variety of interprofessional activities. Students filled out pre- and post-course surveys. We performed quantitative analysis on numeric data and qualitative analysis on open-ended questions. RESULTS: Of 39 total students enrolled in the course, 26 (18 medical and 8 nursing students) participated in the study and filled out the pre- and post-course surveys. Mean competency scores increased for all questions between pre- and post-course surveys, and of these, 5 of 7 reached statistical significance. Qualitative themes identified included: 1) the importance of understanding other team member's roles and relative strengths; 2) the value provided by the breaking down of traditional power dynamics between clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: Global health experiences represent a unique and under-utilized opportunity for facilitating IPE.
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Saúde Global/educação , Práticas Interdisciplinares , Profissionais de Enfermagem/educação , Estudantes de Medicina , Estudantes de Enfermagem , Desempenho Acadêmico , Currículo , Humanos , NicaráguaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: to assess the usefulness, efficacy and safety of single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy (SOCP) with the SpyGlass™ system for the management of biliopancreatic diseases. METHODS: a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing SOCP with the SpyGlass™ between September 2008 and April 2016 was performed. Data was obtained from a prospectively-maintained database at a tertiary referral center. The primary study outcomes were technical and complete endoscopic success of the procedure. Two different SpyGlass™ systems were employed; the former is called legacy and the latter, digital system (DS). RESULTS: a total of 107 SOCP procedures in 93 patients performed by a single operator were analyzed. Technical success of the SpyGlass™ examination was achieved in 90/93 (97%) of patients and complete success by resolving the biliopancreatic condition in 82/93 (88%) cases. In indeterminate biliary strictures, a complete success was achieved in 45/52 (85%) of cases. With regard to stone treatment, technical success was achieved in 34/34 (100%) patients and complete success, in 31/34 (91%) cases. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy was applied in 16/34 (47%) of cases. There were a total of 7/93 adverse effects (7.5%). CONCLUSIONS: SOCP is a useful and safe technique for the treatment of biliopancreatic diseases with a low rate of adverse effects. The procedure seems technically demanding and dedication is required.
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Doenças Biliares/diagnóstico , Colangiopancreatografia Retrógrada Endoscópica , Pancreatopatias/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Colangiopancreatografia Retrógrada Endoscópica/efeitos adversos , Colangiopancreatografia Retrógrada Endoscópica/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Centros de Atenção Terciária , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The use of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) has risen in recent years, even in patients without a clear indication for therapy. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of an electronic medical record (EMR)-based alarm to improve appropriate SUP use in hospitalized patients. METHODS: We conducted an uncontrolled before-after study comparing SUP prescription in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and non-ICU patients, before and after the implementation of an EMR-based alarm that provided the correct indications for SUP. RESULTS: 1627 patients in the pre-intervention and 1513 patients in the post-intervention cohorts were included. The EMR-based alarm improved appropriate (49.6% vs. 66.6%, p<0.001) and reduced inappropriate SUP use (50.4% vs. 33.3%, p<0.001) in ICU patients only. These differences were related to the optimization of SUP in low risk patients. There was no difference in overt gastrointestinal bleeding between the two cohorts. Unjustified costs related to SUP were reduced by a third after EMR-based alarm use. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an EMR-based alarm improved appropriate and reduced inappropriate use of SUP in ICU patients. This benefit was limited to optimization in low risk patients and associated with a decrease in SUP costs.
Assuntos
Alarmes Clínicos , Registros Eletrônicos de Saúde , Prescrição Inadequada/prevenção & controle , Úlcera Péptica Hemorrágica/diagnóstico , Úlcera Péptica/prevenção & controle , Antiulcerosos/uso terapêutico , Comorbidade , Custos e Análise de Custo , Antagonistas dos Receptores H2 da Histamina/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Pacientes Internados , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva , Úlcera Péptica/tratamento farmacológico , Úlcera Péptica Hemorrágica/prevenção & controle , Inibidores da Bomba de Prótons/uso terapêutico , Respiração Artificial , Risco , Centros de Atenção TerciáriaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals has enabled the discussion of HCV eradication worldwide. Envisioning this aim requires implementation of mass screening in resource-limited areas, usually constrained by testing costs. METHODS: We validated a low-cost, rapid diagnosis test (RDT) for HCV in three different continents in 141 individuals. RESULTS: The HCV RDT showed 100% specificity and sensitivity across different samples regardless of genotype or viral load (in samples with such information, 90%). CONCLUSIONS: The HCV test validated in this study can allow for HCV screening in areas of need when properly used.
Assuntos
Custos e Análise de Custo , Testes Diagnósticos de Rotina , Recursos em Saúde , Hepacivirus , Hepatite C/diagnóstico , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Sistemas Automatizados de Assistência Junto ao Leito , Testes Diagnósticos de Rotina/economia , Hepacivirus/genética , Hepacivirus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Hepatite C/economia , Hepatite C/virologia , Humanos , Programas de Rastreamento/economia , Sistemas Automatizados de Assistência Junto ao Leito/economia , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Carga ViralRESUMO
Chronic Hepatitis B (HBV) is the most important cause of liver disease worldwide. There is a need for low-cost tests to aid in diagnosis and management of HBV infection in resource-limited settings. We evaluated the utility of several rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) in three different continents (Europe, South America, Africa). The HBsAg RDT showed optimal sensitivity and specificity. The anti-HBeAb RDT showed acceptable sensitivity and excellent specificity. Our results suggest that these RDTs could be used for screening and management of HBV.