Early switching of antibiotic therapy from intravenous to oral using a combination of education, pocket-sized cards and switch advice: A practical intervention resulting in reduced length of hospital stay.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a combined intervention on the timing and rate of switching from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used a historically-controlled prospective intervention design. Interventions consisted of educating physicians, handing out pocket-sized cards and providing switch advice in the electronic patient record (EPR). All patients hospitalized at the surgery department who were treated with IV antibiotics for at least 24 h and who fulfilled the switch criteria within 72 h of IV treatment were included. Outcomes before and during the intervention were compared. RESULTS: An early IV to oral switch took place in 35.4% (35/99) of the antibiotic courses in the baseline period and in 67.7% (42/62) of the antibiotic courses in the intervention period (odds ratio [OR] 3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96-7.53). Duration of IV therapy was significantly reduced from 5 to 3 days (P<0.01). Length of hospitalization was reduced from 6 to 5 days (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The interventions were effective in promoting an early IV to oral antibiotic switch by shortening the length of IV therapy and hospital stay.

Gouty arthritis: decision-making following dual-energy CT scan in clinical practice, a retrospective analysis.

To establish whether dual-energy CT (DECT) is a diagnostic tool, i.e., associated with initiation or discontinuation of a urate lowering drug (ULD). Secondly, to determine whether DECT results (gout deposition y/n) can be predicted by clinical and laboratory variables. Digital medical records of 147 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of gout were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical data including medication before and after DECT, lab results, and results from diagnostic joint aspiration and DECT were collected. The relationship between DECT results and clinical and laboratory results was evaluated by univariate regression analyses; predictors showing a p < 0.10 were entered in a multivariate logistic regression model with the DECT result as outcome variable. A backward stepwise technique was applied. After the DECT, 104 of these patients had a clinical diagnosis of gout based on the clinical judgment of the rheumatologist, and in 84 of these patients, the diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in synovial fluid (SF) or by positive DECT. After DECT, the current ULD was modified in 33 (22.4%) of patients; in 29 of them, ULD was started and in 1 it was intensified. Following DECT, the current ULD was stopped in three patients. In the multivariable regression model, cardiovascular disease (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.26-7.47), disease duration (OR 1.008, 95% CI 1.001-1.016), frequency of attack (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.07-1.42), and creatinine clearance (OR 2.03, 95% CI 0.91-1.00) were independently associated with positive DECT results. We found that the DECT result increases the confidence of the prescribers in their decision to initiation or discontinuation of urate lowering therapy regimen in of mono- or oligoarthritis. It may be a useful imaging tool for patients who cannot undergo joint aspiration because of contraindications or with difficult to aspirate joints, or those who refuse joint aspiration. We also suggest the use of DECT in cases where a definitive diagnosis cannot be made from signs, symptoms, and MSU analysis alone.

Agonist-induced platelet reactivity correlates with bleeding in haemato-oncological patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prophylactic platelet transfusions are administered to prevent bleeding in haemato-oncological patients. However, bleeding still occurs, despite these transfusions. This practice is costly and not without risk. Better predictors of bleeding are needed, and flow cytometric evaluation of platelet function might aid the clinician in identifying patients at risk of bleeding. This evaluation can be performed within the hour and is not hampered by low platelet count. Our objective was to assess a possible correlation between bleeding and platelet function in thrombocytopenic haemato-oncological patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inclusion was possible for admitted haemato-oncology patients aged 18 years and above. Furthermore, an expected need for platelet transfusions was necessary. Bleeding was graded according to the WHO bleeding scale. Platelet reactivity to stimulation by either adenosine diphosphate (ADP), cross-linked collagen-related peptide (CRP-xL), PAR1- or PAR4-activating peptide (AP) was measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS: A total of 114 evaluations were available from 21 consecutive patients. Platelet reactivity in response to stimulation by all four studied agonists was inversely correlated with significant bleeding. Odds ratios (OR) for bleeding were 0·28 for every unit increase in median fluorescence intensity (MFI) [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·11-0·73] for ADP; 0·59 [0·40-0·87] for CRP-xL; 0·59 [0·37-0·94] for PAR1-AP; and 0·43 [0·23-0·79] for PAR4-AP. The platelet count was not correlated with bleeding (OR 0·99 [0·96-1·02]). CONCLUSION: Agonist-induced platelet reactivity was significantly correlated to bleeding. Platelet function testing could provide a basis for a personalized transfusion regimen, in which platelet transfusions are limited to those at risk of bleeding.

Antihypertensive treatment during pregnancy and functional development at primary school age in a historical cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the functional development of children born after treatment of mild-to-moderate gestational hypertension with labetalol versus methyldopa, and no antihypertensive treatment. DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING: Twelve Dutch hospital departments of obstetrics. POPULATION: Live-born children born in these hospitals and prenatally exposed to labetalol, methyldopa, or bed rest because of mild-to-moderate gestational hypertension. METHODS: Central nervous system development was measured with standard tests at 4-10 years of age. Linear regression techniques and Pearson's chi-square tests were used to compare the groups with regard to the outcome measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intelligence quotient (IQ), concentration, motor development, and behaviour at primary school age. RESULTS: A total of 202 children were included in the analyses. More children exposed to labetalol had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than those exposed to methyldopa (OR 2.3; 95% CI 0.7-7.3), or those born to women who had been admitted for bed rest (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.2-13.9). Sleeping problems seemed to be reported more frequently after prenatal methyldopa exposure than after exposure to labetalol (OR 3.2; 95% CI 0.6-16.7) or bed rest (OR 4.5; 95% CI 0.9-23.2), although the differences were not statistically significant. Test scores on other aspects of functional development did not differ between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this hypothesis-generating study, labetalol exposure in utero seemed to increase the risk of ADHD among children of primary school age, whereas prenatal methyldopa exposure might influence sleep. Further studies with appropriate sample sizes are warranted to determine the long-term effects of antihypertensive medications.

Epidemiology of neonatal group B streptococcal disease in the Netherlands before and after introduction of guidelines for prevention.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe the epidemiology of neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) disease over five years (1997-2001) in the Netherlands, stratified for proven and probable sepsis and for very early (<12 h), late early (12 h - <7 days) and late (7-90 days) onset sepsis. (2) To evaluate the effect of the introduction in January 1999 of guidelines for prevention of early onset GBS disease based on risk factors. METHODS: Data on cases were collected in collaboration with the Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit and corrected for under-reporting by the capture-recapture technique. RESULTS: Total incidence of proven very early onset, late early onset and late onset GBS sepsis was 0.32, 0.11 and 0.14 per 1000 live births, respectively, and of probable very early onset, late early onset and late onset GBS sepsis was 1.10, 0.18 and 0.02 per 1000 live births, respectively. Maternal risk factors were absent in 46% of the proven early onset cases. Considerably more infants with proven GBS sepsis were boys. 64% of the infants with proven very early onset GBS sepsis were first born compared with 47% in the general population. After the introduction of guidelines the incidence of proven early onset sepsis decreased considerably from 0.54 per 1000 live births in 1997-8 to 0.36 per 1000 live births in 1999-2001. However, there was no decrease in the incidence of meningitis and the case fatality rate in the first week of life. The incidence of late onset sepsis also remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: After the introduction prevention guidelines based on risk factors there has been a limited decrease in the incidence of proven early onset GBS sepsis in the Netherlands. This study therefore recommends changing the Dutch GBS prevention guidelines.

A randomized clinical trial of clomiphene citrate versus low dose recombinant FSH for ovarian hyperstimulation in intrauterine insemination cycles for unexplained and male subfertility.

BACKGROUND: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a widely accepted treatment for unexplained and male subfertility. No consensus exists about the drug of first choice to be used as hyperstimulation. This randomized multicentre trial using a parallel design compares the efficacy of clomiphene citrate (CC) with that of recombinant FSH (rFSH). METHODS: Couples with primary unexplained or male subfertility were randomized to receive CC or rFSH for ovarian hyperstimulation. The treatment was continued for up to four cycles unless pregnancy occurred. Cycles with more than three follicles were cancelled. Cumulative pregnancy rates and live birth rates were primary outcomes. Cancellation during treatment and multiple birth rates are secondary outcomes. Results were analysed following the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: Seventy couples with male subfertility and 68 couples with unexplained subfertility were included. Seventy-one women received CC, and 67 received rFSH. Twenty-seven pregnancies were observed in the CC group (38%) and 23 in the rFSH group (34.3%) relative risk (RR) 1.11 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.71-1.73]. The live birth rate was 28.2% (20/71) and 26.9% (18/67) for CC and rFSH, respectively, RR 1.05 (95% CI 0.61-1.80). Overall, the live birth rates per cycle were 10% for CC-stimulated and 8.7% for rFSH stimulated cycles. The total multiple pregnancy rate was 6.0%. Thirty-five cycles (8.6%) were cancelled because of four or more follicles (CC, n = 17; rFSH, n = 18). CONCLUSIONS: In couples with primary unexplained or male subfertility participating in an IUI program, ovarian hyperstimulation can be achieved by CC or rFSH. No significant difference in live birth rates between CC and rFSH was observed. Being less expensive, CC seems the more cost-effective drug and therefore, can be offered as drug of first choice.

Effects of subfertility cause, smoking and body weight on the success rate of IVF.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the separate and combined effects of smoking and body mass index (BMI) on the success rate of IVF for couples with different causes of subfertility. METHODS: The success rate of IVF was examined in 8457 women. Detailed information on reproduction and lifestyle factors was combined with medical record data on IVF treatment. All IVF clinics in The Netherlands participated in this study. The main outcome measures were live birth rate per first cycle of IVF differentiated for the major predictive factors. RESULTS: For male subfertility the delivery rate per cycle was significantly lower than unexplained subfertility, OR of 0.70 (95% CI 0.57-0.86); for tubal pathology, the delivery rate was slightly lower, OR = 0.86 (95% CI 0.70-1.01). Smoking was associated with a significantly lower delivery rate was slightly lower; for OR = 0.72 (95% CI 0.61-0.84) and a significantly higher abortion rate compared to non-smoking delivery rates of 21.4% and 16.4%, respectively (P=0.02). Women with a BMI of > or = 27 kg/m2 had a significantly lower delivery rate, with an OR of 0.67 (95% CI 0.48-0.94), compared with normal weight women (BMI > or = 20 and <27 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS: Both smoking and overweight unfavourably affect the live birth rate after IVF. The devastating impact of smoking on the live birth rate in IVF treatment is comparable with an increase in female age of >10 years from age 20 to 30 years. Subfertile couples may improve the outcome of IVF treatment by lifestyle changes.

Residual disease after excision of non-palpable breast tumours: analysis of tumour characteristics.

INTRODUCTION: A tumour-positive resection margin is a well-known prognostic factor for local recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate tumour characteristics that might be predictive for the presence of residual disease after excisional surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 295 patients, subjected to a wire-guided excisional breast biopsy were studied. Type and size of the primary tumour, the presence of DCIS and an extensive in situ component (EIC), multifocality of the tumour and nodal status were recorded. RESULTS: Residual disease was found in 51% of the patients undergoing a re-operation. 80% of the patients with positive margins were treated by mastectomy. Nodal status and the presence of an extensive in situ component were the only two variables that were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In case of tumour positive margins axillary involvement and an extensive in situ component in the primary tumour were predictive for residual disease. No subgroups could be defined in whom additional surgery could be omitted. More 'aggressive' surgical therapy is justified in patients belonging to these risk groups.

[Short pregnancy interval and reproductive disorders]. / Kort zwangerschapsinterval en voortplantingsstoornissen.

The cause of the 'borderline personality disorder' of Vincent van Gogh has been discussed in social-psychiatric terms related to so-called 'substitute children', born after the loss of a previous child. A biological-organic genesis, i.e. the very short birth interval of precisely one year between Van Gogh and his older brother appears to be a more plausible explanation. Personality disorders, which are part of the spectrum of schizophrenic disorders, seem to belong to the very broad 'continuum of reproductive casualties' and to be caused by non-optimal maturation of the oocyte during the postpartum restoration of the ovulatory pattern. This continuum occurs during each of the transitional stages of reproductive life in which the maturation of the oocyte is constrained and consists of chromosomal aberrations, (discordant) monozygotic twins, early and late foetal death, preterm births, intrauterine growth retardation, congenital abnormalities, perinatal and neonatal mortality, cot death, growth and mental defects, and finally, chronic or 'constitutional' diseases. Non-optimal maturation of the oocyte appears to be a risk factor for the reproductive casualties stated.