Durometry as an alternative tool to the modified Rodnans skin score in the assessment of diffuse systemic sclerosis patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background The reproducibility and reliability of the modified Rodnan's Skin Score (mRSS) are debated due to investigator-related subjectivity. Here, we evaluate if durometry correlates with mRSS in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to June 2019, including 58 diffuse SSc patients. Two certified researchers, blind to each other's scores, performed the mRSS, followed by durometry at 17 predefined skin sites. For durometry and mRSS, individual scores per skin site were registered. Durometry and mRSS results measured by each researcher, as well as scores from different researchers, were compared. Skin thickness measurements from forearm skin biopsies were available in a subset of the patients, for comparisons. Statistical analyses included Cohen's Kappa Coefficient, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Kendall's Coefficient and Spearman's test. Results Mean (standard deviation, SD) patient age was 44.8 (12.9) years, and 88% were female. Inter-rater agreement varied from 0.88 to 0.99 (Intraclass correlation coefficient) for durometry, and 0.54 to 0.79 (Cohen's Kappa coefficient) for mRSS, according to the specific evaluated sites. When data were compared with skin thickness assessed in forearm biopsies, durometry correlated better with skin thickness than mRSS. Conclusion Durometry may be considered as an alternative method to quantify skin involvement in patients with diffuse SSc. The strong inter-rater agreement suggests that the method may be useful for the assessment of patients by multiple researchers, as in clinical trials.(AU)

Motivo de retirada do cateter de Hickman em pacientes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas / Rationale for Hickman catheter removal in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / Motivo del retiro del catéter de Hickman en pacientes sometidos al transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas

OBJETIVO: Identificar os motivos da retirada do primeiro cateter de Hickman implantado em pacientes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas alogênico, os micro-organismos envolvidos na ocorrência de infecção e o tempo de permanência do cateter in situ. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal retrospectivo. A amostra foi constituída por 57 prontuários de pacientes transplantados. Para a obtenção dos dados, elaborou-se um instrumento contendo variáveis relativas à identificação do paciente, tempo de permanência do cateter, motivo de retirada e micro-organismo isolado. RESULTADOS: Dentre os motivos de retirada do cateter, destacou-se como o mais frequente a infecção (49 por cento). O Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (25 por cento) foi o micro-organismo identificado com maior frequência. CONCLUSÕES: Diante da elevada incidência de complicações infecciosas que levam à retirada do cateter de Hickman, faz-se necessária uma padronização de cuidados relacionados a esse cateter, tanto para a equipe de saúde como ao paciente e seu cuidador.

OBJECTIVE: To identify rationale for removal of the first Hickman catheter implanted in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the micro-organisms involved in the occurrence of infection, and the length of time the catheter was in situ. METHODS: A cross sectional, retrospective study was conducted. The sample consisted of 57 transplant recipients. To conduct chart review, an instrument was developed containing variables related to patient identification, time of catheter use, reason for withdrawal, and isolated micro-organisms. RESULTS: Among the reasons for catheter removal, frequent infection (49 percent) was the most common; the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia microorganism (25 percent) was the most frequently isolated. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high incidence of infectious complications leading to Hickman catheter removal, it is essential to standardize catheter care for the health care team, patients and their caregivers.

OBJETIVO: Identificar los motivos del retiro del primer catéter de Hickman implantado en pacientes sometidos al transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas alogénico, los microorganismos involucrados en la ocurrencia de infección y el tiempo de permanencia del catéter in situ. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal retrospectivo. La muestra estuvo constituída por 57 historias clínicas de pacientes transplantados. Para la obtención de los datos, se elaboró un instrumento conteniendo variables relativas a la identificación del paciente, tiempo de permanencia del catéter, motivo del retiro y microorganismo aislado. RESULTADOS: Entre los motivos del retiro del catéter, se destacó como el más frecuente la infección (49 por ciento). El Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (25 por ciento) fue el microorganismo identificado con mayor frecuencia. CONCLUSIONES: Frente a la elevada incidencia de complicaciones infecciosas que llevan al retiro del catéter de Hickman, se hace necesaria una patronización de cuidados relacionados a ese catéter, tanto para el equipo de salud como para el paciente y su cuidador.