Intestinal Conventional Ultrasonography, Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Enterography in Assessment of Crohn's Disease Activity: A Comparison with Surgical Histopathology Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a potential interesting method for assessing accurately Crohn's disease (CD) activity. We compared the value of intestinal ultrasonography (US) coupled with contrast agent injection with that of magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) in the assessment of small bowel CD activity using surgical histopathology analysis as reference. METHODS: Seventeen clinically active CD patients (14 women, mean age 33 years) requiring an ileal or ileocolonic resection were prospectively enrolled. All performed a MRE and a US coupled with contrast agent injection (CEUS) less than 8 weeks prior to surgery. Various imaging qualitative and quantitative parameters were recorded and their respective performance to detect disease activity, disease extension and presence of complications was compared to surgical histopathological analysis. RESULTS: The median wall thickness measured by US differed significantly between patients with non-severely active CD (n = 5) and those with severely active CD (n = 12) [7.0 mm, IQR (6.5-9.5) vs 10.0 mm, IQR (8.0-12.0), respectively; p = 0.03]. A non-significant trend was found with MRE with a median wall thickness in severe active CD of 10.0 mm, IQR (8.0-13.7) compared with 8.0 mm, IQR (7.5-10.5) in non-severely active CD (p = 0.07). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the wall thickness assessed by US and MRE to identify patients with or without severely active CD on surgical specimens were 0.85, 95% CI (0.64-1.04), p = 0.03 and 0.80, 95% CI (0.56-1.01), p = 0.07, respectively. Among the parameters derived from the time-intensity curve during CEUS, time to peak and rise time were the two most accurate markers [AUROC = 0.88, 95% CI (0.70-1.04), p = 0.02 and 0.86, 95% CI (0.68-1.04), p = 0.03] to detect patients with severely active CD assessed on surgical specimens. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of intestinal CEUS is close to that of conventional US to detect disease activity. A thickened bowel and shortened time to peak and rise time were the most accurate to identify CD patients with severe histological disease activity.

[Patient-held health records: impact on breast cancer follow-up in the Rhône-Alpes region. Project Archimed]. / Le dossier de santé détenu par le patient : impact sur le suivi du cancer du sein dans la région Rhône-Alpes. Projet Archimed.

BACKGROUND: The conditions of use and access to medical records have become an important source of interest in the last decade. In this context, our main objective was to assess the impact of a paper patient-held records, shared with healthcare professionals. METHODS: In the particular case of breast cancer management, we identified the expectations of practitioners and patients. Secondly and according to a Delphi method, we defined the content and size of a medical record, which could be held by the patient. Following these preliminary studies, we conducted a randomized controlled trial, comparing patients with usual follow-up to others holding the new record containing essential information for coordination of care. RESULTS: The patient-held record favoured membership and satisfaction of both patients and health professionals. It was used as a communication tool between physicians and patients, but could also cause anxiety to some patients. Patient quality of life, data confidentiality and costs of care remained identical in the two arms. With its benefits for both patients and healthcare professionals, a new concept of medical records was revealed by this study. CONCLUSION: New models for healthcare organization deeply modify the roles and relationships of all the actors in the healthcare system. Further research on patient-held records is needed to evaluate the full range of its benefits and limits.

[Role of networks in the screening and management of chronic kidney disease]. / Impact des réseaux sur les pratiques et les résultats de la prise en charge de la maladie rénale chronique.

Whatever the health care system, the prevention of chronic renal failure is at present limited by an insufficient use of available screening and treatment methods for chronic kidney disease. Consequently, most patients with chronic kidney disease remain exposed to an otherwise avoidable progression towards end-stage renal disease, an emergency start of dialysis, and increased cardiovascular risk. The coordination of care within a multiprofessional network including appropriate guidelines, continuous medical education and practice assessment, and patient information and therapeutic education, may radically change the prognosis of chronic kidney disease, and the burden of care.

[Role of gynecologists in the care of women with breast cancer]. / La place des médecins gynécologues libéraux dans la prise en charge des femmes atteintes de cancer du sein.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the role of gynecologists in the care of women with breast cancer, their relationship with hospital specialists and with patients, and their expectations in terms of the quality of this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2002. Two hundred and fifty gynecologists from Rhone Alpes region were randomly selected and received a questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of the polled practitioners answered. Forty-two percent of gynecologists had about 25-50 patients with breast cancer. Their participation in the care principally concerned the phases of diagnosis (99%) and remission (98.5%). Eight percent took part in therapeutic decision making. Ninety-two percent of the gynecologists wanted to receive systematically feedback concerning any consultation or hospitalization and 98% wanted to know the name and address details of the care coordinator. CONCLUSION: Gynecologists are willing to participate in the care of breast cancer patients. This for, they want to have more details about therapy, follow-up and the level of information given to the patients.