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1.
Health Care Manag Sci ; 23(1): 66-79, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30607802

ABSTRACT

We study the efficiency of operations management in a hospital from the dynamics of the flow of patients. Our principal aim is to characterize strategic departments and seasonal patterns in a hospital from a complex networks approach. Process mining techniques are developed to track out-patients' pathways along different departments for the purpose of building weekly networks. In these networks, departments act as nodes with multiple out/in-going arrows connecting other departments. Strategic departments are classified into target and critical departments. On the one hand, target departments, which in this study belong to the oncology area, correspond to those affected by new management policies whose impact is to be assessed. On the other hand, critical departments correspond to the most active departments, the hubs of the networks. Using suitable networks parameters, strategic departments are shown to be highly efficient regardless of the season, which naturally translates into a high level of service offered to patients. In addition, our results show conformance with the new objectives concerning target departments. The methodology presented is shown to be successful in evaluating the efficiency of hospital services in order to enhance process performances, and moreover, it is suitable to be implemented in healthcare management systems at a greater scale and the service industry whenever the flow of clients or customers are involved.


Subject(s)
Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Outpatients/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Data Mining/methods , Efficiency, Organizational , Humans , Models, Statistical , Oncology Service, Hospital , Process Assessment, Health Care , Seasons
2.
Sensors (Basel) ; 20(5)2020 Feb 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32121227

ABSTRACT

The development of dedicated positron emission tomography scanners is an active area of research, especially aiming at the improvement of lesion detection and in support of cancer treatment and management. Recently, dedicated Positron Emission Tomography (PET) systems with different configurations for specific organs have been developed for improving detection effectiveness. Open geometries are always subject to distortion and artifacts in the reconstructed images. Therefore, the aim of this work is to determine the optimal geometry for a novel cardiac PET system that will be developed by our team, and determine the time resolution needed to achieve reasonable image quality for the chosen geometry. The proposed geometries consist of 36 modules. These modules are arranged in two sets of two plates, each one with different configurations. We performed Monte Carlo simulations with different TOF resolutions, in order to test the image quality improvement in each case. Our results show, as expected, that increasing TOF resolution reduces distortion and artifact effects. We can conclude that a TOF resolution of the order of 200 ps is needed to reduce the artifacts, to acceptable levels, generated in the simulated cardiac-PET open geometries.


Subject(s)
Heart/physiology , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Algorithms , Artifacts , Computer Simulation , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Monte Carlo Method , Phantoms, Imaging
3.
BMC Fam Pract ; 19(1): 45, 2018 04 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29621985

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease progressively limits patients at different levels and as a result family members play a key role in their care. However, studies show lack of an integrative approach in Primary Care to respond to the difficulties and psychosocial changes experienced by them. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary psychoeducational intervention focusing on improving coping skills, the psychosocial adjustment to Parkinson's disease and the quality of life in patients and family carers in a Primary Care setting. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study with control group and mixed methods was designed to evaluate a multidisciplinary psychoeducational intervention. Based on the study power calculations, 100 people with Parkinson's disease and 100 family carers will be recruited and assigned to two groups. The intervention group will receive the ReNACE psychoeducational intervention. The control group will be given a general educational programme. The study will be carried out in six community-based health centres. The results obtained from the two groups will be collected for evaluation at three time points: at baseline, immediately after the intervention and at 6 months post-intervention. The results will be measured with these instruments: the Quality of Life Scale PDQ-39 for patients and the Scale of Quality of Life of Care-givers SQLC for family carers, and for all participants the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness scale and the Brief COPE Inventory. Focus groups will be organised with some patients and family carers who will have received the ReNACE psychoeducational intervention and also with the healthcare professionals involved in its development. DISCUSSION: An important gap exists in the knowledge and application of interventions with a psychosocial approach for people with PD and family carers as a whole. This study will promote this comprehensive approach in Primary Care, which will clearly contribute in the existing knowledge and could reduce the burden of PD for patients and family carers, and also in other long-term conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03129425 (ClinicalTrials.gov). Retrospectively registered on April 26, 2017.


Subject(s)
Caregivers/education , Health Education/methods , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Quality of Life , Adult , Humans , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Research Design , Spain
4.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 36(2): 295-303, 2017 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27718071

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fidaxomicin in the real-life clinical setting. This was a retrospective cohort of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) treated with fidaxomicin in 20 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and July 2014. Clinical cure, 30-day recurrence, 30-day mortality, sustained cure, and factors associated with the failure to achieve sustained cure were analyzed. Of the 72 patients in the cohort 41 (56.9 %) had a fatal underlying disease. There were 44 (61.1 %) recurrent episodes and 26 cases (36.1 %) with a history of multiple recurrences. Most episodes were severe (26, 36 %) or severe-complicated (14, 19.4 %). Clinical cure rate was 90.3 %, recurrence rate was 16.7 % and three patients (4.2 %) died during the follow-up period. Sustained cure was achieved in 52 cases (72.2 %). Adverse events were reported in five cases (6.9 %). Factors associated with the lack of sustained cure were cardiovascular comorbidity (OR 11.4; 95 %CI 1.9-67.8), acute kidney failure (OR 7.4; 95 %CI 1.3-43.1), concomitant systemic antibiotic treatment (OR 6.2; 95 %CI 1.1-36.8), and C-reactive protein value at diagnosis (OR 1.2 for each 1 mg/dl increase; 95 %CI 1.03-1.3). Fidaxomicin is an effective and well tolerable treatment for severe CDI and for cases with elevated recurrence risk.


Subject(s)
Aminoglycosides/therapeutic use , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Clostridioides difficile/isolation & purification , Clostridium Infections/drug therapy , Diarrhea/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aminoglycosides/adverse effects , Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects , Clostridioides difficile/drug effects , Clostridium Infections/microbiology , Diarrhea/microbiology , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Fidaxomicin , Hospitals , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Spain , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
5.
Environ Monit Assess ; 189(7): 312, 2017 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28585039

ABSTRACT

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in muscles and liver of composite samples of Mugil cephalus and M. curema collected during November 2013 and in January, April, and July 2014 from the coastal lagoons Altata-Ensenada del Pabellón (AEP), Ceuta (CEU), and Teacapán-Agua Brava (TAG) of Sinaloa State. The mean Hg contents and information on local consumption were used to assess the possible risk caused by fish ingestion. Mean total mercury levels in the muscles ranged from 0.11 to 0.39 µg/g, while the range for liver was 0.12-3.91 µg/g. The mean Hg content of the liver was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that of the muscles only in samples collected from AEP. Although total Hg levels in the muscles were lower than the official permissible limit, the HQ values for methyl mercury calculated for the younger age classes of one fishing community were >1, indicating a possible risk for some fishing communities of the Mexican Pacific coast.


Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Mercury/metabolism , Smegmamorpha/metabolism , Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism , Animals , Fishes , Humans , Liver/chemistry , Mercury/analysis , Methylmercury Compounds , Mexico , Muscles/chemistry , Risk Assessment , Spectrophotometry, Atomic , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis
6.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 34(4): 719-25, 2015 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25416160

ABSTRACT

The Streptococcus bovis group (SBG) comprises several microorganisms associated with human infections. They have been associated with bacteremia, endocarditis, biliary tract infection, meningitis, and colorectal cancer, but their role as urinary pathogens is not well known. The objective of this investigation was to discover the incidence and clinical significance of the bacteriuria associated with this complex. A retrospective analysis of all adult patients with bacteriuria caused by SBG during the period 1995-2012 was carried out. During the study period, SBG was isolated in 153 adult patients, who had a mean age of 67 years, most of them being women (80%). Most of our patients (65%) had some underlying disease, with urologic disease being the most common (37%), followed by diabetes mellitus (27%) and neurologic disease (25%). Among the 88 patients in whom we were able to correctly assess symptoms, 45% had asymptomatic bacteriuria, 35% had lower urinary tract infection, and 20% had upper urinary tract infection. In 14 cases (9%), SBG was also isolated in blood cultures. Most of the isolates of SBG (72%) were S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, 98% to nitrofurantoin, and 77% to fosfomycin. Although SBG bacteriuria is uncommon, it should not always be taken as a contaminant, mainly when S. pasteurianus is isolated, because it may cause urinary tract infections and, occasionally, sepsis, whereas when S. gallolyticus is isolated from urine, it may be a marker of underlying endocarditis and colorectal cancer.


Subject(s)
Streptococcal Infections/microbiology , Streptococcus bovis/isolation & purification , Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Streptococcal Infections/epidemiology , Streptococcus bovis/drug effects , Urinary Tract Infections/epidemiology , Young Adult
7.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 34(8): 1657-65, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26017665

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus bovis group and Enterococcus spp. share phenotypic characteristics and intestinal habitat. Both have been associated with endocarditis and colorectal neoplasm (CRN). We studied all cases of endocarditis diagnosed between 1988 and 2014 in our centre and caused by S. bovis (109, 48.8 % of the bacteremia) and by Enterococcus spp. (36, 3.4 % of the bacteremia). Patients were seen until death or during a long-term follow-up, in order to rule out a concomitant CRN. The 109 cases of S. bovis endocarditis (SbIE) compared with the 36 caused by enterococci showed: a higher proportion of males (91 % vs. 72 %, p=0.005), more multivalvular involvement (28 % vs. 6 %, p=0.004), embolic complications (44 vs. 22 %, p=0.02) and colorectal neoplasm (64 % vs. 25 %, p=0.001). SbIE showed fewer co-morbidities (32 vs. 58 %, p=0.005), and less frequently urinary infection source (0 vs. 25 %, p=0.001) and healthcare-related infection (2 vs. 44 %, p=0.001). A total of 123 patients were followed up for an extended period (mean: 65.9 ± 57.5 months). During the follow-up, 6 of 28 (21 %) cases with enterococcal endocarditis and 43 of 95 (45.2 %, p=0.01) cases with SbIE developed a new CRN. These neoplasiae appeared a mean of 60.4 months later (range 12-181 months). Among the 43 cases with SbIE and CRN, 12 had had a previously normal colonoscopy and 31 had had a previous CRN and developed a second neoplasm. Cases of SbIE present important differences with those caused by Enterococcus spp. Colonoscopy must be mandatory both in the initial evaluation of SbIE, as during the follow-up period.


Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms/complications , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/pathology , Enterococcus/isolation & purification , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/pathology , Streptococcus bovis/isolation & purification , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Endocarditis, Bacterial/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies
8.
Int Nurs Rev ; 62(3): 303-11, 2015 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25645450

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As future health educators, nursing and physiotherapy students will play an essential role in the prevention of smoking. AIM: To determine the prevalence of smoking among students and to analyse their knowledge of and attitudes towards smoking. METHOD: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire and conducted in a Spanish Faculty of Health Sciences in 2013. FINDINGS: 247 nursing and physiotherapy students (82.33%) participated in the study. The global prevalence of smoking (18.2%) was lower compare with the general population group of the same age. We have observed statistical significance in relation to previous studies. Nursing and physiotherapy students showed a low nicotine dependence. We found a lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of cigarette consumption on health. Statistically significant results were also found in relation to degree courses (p < 0.01) as regards students' opinions about their knowledge of strategies and methods to help patients stop smoking. CONCLUSION: Most students started smoking before commencing their university studies; consequently, interventions should focus on cessation programmes. An analysis of university curricula leading to the award of a degree in the health sciences could serve to identify educational deficiencies in order to implement the necessary modifications. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: This paper presents an update in tobacco use characteristics amongst nursing and physiotherapy students. Those results have showed a need to improve the curricula in order to develop specific programmes to improve knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Measures to prevent smoking must be taken at school.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Physical Therapy Specialty/education , Smoking/epidemiology , Students, Health Occupations/psychology , Students, Nursing/psychology , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Spain/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires
9.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 33(2): 171-7, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23934596

ABSTRACT

The association of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) with Streptococcus bovis biotype I (SBI) infection is well recognized. However, this is not the case for Streptococcus bovis biotype II (SBII). We conducted this study in order to analyze the relationship between SBII and CRN. We analyzed all cases of bacteremia due to SBI (n = 99) and SBII (n = 36) diagnosed in our hospital (during the period 1988-2011) that were followed up with colonoscopy. In addition, we reviewed the literature (during the period 1982-2011) to select all cases of infection of SB that had undergone colonoscopy or other adequate form of colorectal examination. A multivariate analysis was performed to detect CRN risk factors in patients infected with SB. From the 223 cases of SB infection included in the analysis (135 from our institution and 88 from the literature review), 159 were due to SBI and 64 were caused by SBII. As compared with SBI, the SBII cases had a lower frequency of CRN (27 % vs. 67 %, p <0.001), advanced adenomas (8 % vs. 29 %, p <0.01), and carcinomas (6 % vs. 21 %, p <0.01). In a multivariate analysis, and after adjusting for age, sex, type of infection, and biotype, SBII infection was not associated with CRN: odds ratio (OR) = 0.17; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.09 to 0.33. The only factor independently associated with CRN was SBI infection: OR = 5.7; 95 % CI = 3.0 to 10.9. The prevalence of CRN in patients infected with SBII is significantly lower than patients with SBI and does not appear to be higher than the CRN prevalence among the general population.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia/complications , Colonoscopy/methods , Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Streptococcal Infections/complications , Streptococcus bovis/isolation & purification , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bacteremia/microbiology , Colorectal Neoplasms/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Streptococcal Infections/microbiology , Streptococcus bovis/classification
10.
Med Phys ; 39(2): 643-53, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22320773

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The authors have developed a small animal Positron emission tomography (PET) scanner based on monolithic LYSO crystals coupled to multi-anode photomultiplier tubes (MA-PMTs). In this study, the authors report on the design, calibration procedure, and performance evaluation of a PET system that the authors have developed using this innovative nonpixelated detector design. METHODS: The scanner is made up of eight compact modules forming an octagon with an axial field of view (FOV) of 40 mm and a transaxial FOV of 80 mm diameter. In order to fully determine its performance, a recently issued National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU-4 protocol, specifically developed for small animal PET scanners, has been followed. By measuring the width of light distribution collected in the MA-PMT the authors are able to determine depth of interaction (DOI), thus making the proper identification of lines of response (LORs) with large incidence angles possible. PET performances are compared with those obtained with currently commercially available small animal PET scanners. RESULTS: At axial center when the point-like source is located at 5 mm from the radial center, the spatial resolution measured was 1.65, 1.80, and 1.86 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) for radial, tangential, and axial image profiles, respectively. A system scatter fraction of 7.5% (mouse-like phantom) and 13% (rat-like phantom) was obtained, while the maximum noise equivalent count rate (NECR) was 16.9 kcps at 12.7 MBq (0.37 MBq/ml) for mouse-like phantom and 12.8 kcps at 12.4 MBq (0.042 MBq/ml) for rat-like phantom The peak absolute sensitivity in the center of the FOV is 2% for a 30% peak energy window. Several animal images are also presented. CONCLUSIONS: The overall performance of our small animal PET is comparable to that obtained with much more complex crystal pixelated PET systems. Moreover, the new proposed PET produces high-quality images suitable for studies with small animals.


Subject(s)
Heart/diagnostic imaging , Image Enhancement/instrumentation , Positron-Emission Tomography/instrumentation , Positron-Emission Tomography/veterinary , Animals , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Mice , Phantoms, Imaging , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity
12.
Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim ; 59(9): 489-96, 2012 Nov.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22980396

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of levosimendan for compassionate use in children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease, as well as survival rates, and the variations in the haemodynamic and analytical variables studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational retrospective descriptive study was performed, using a review of clinical histories, from May 2005 to January 2010. Haemodynamic and analytical variables pre- and post- levosimendan administration, drugs used, and their dosages, and any adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS: Forty two children, 38 of them undergoing surgical correction, between the ages of four days and 5.75 years (median 92 days) were included. The drug was infused on 46 occasions. Four children received two doses. The infusion rate was among 0.1 to 0.6 µg × kg⁻¹ × min⁻¹. Only one patient received a loading dose. In 15 administrations (32.6%), the same dose was maintained throughout the infusion period. In 19 cases (41.3%), the dose was increased or decreased according to the need for vasoactive support. In surgical patients, overall survival after 30 days of the administration, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, was 80%. Blood lactate levels were statistically associated with mortality (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: There were no uniform criteria for using levosimendan, and it was only used as a rescue drug. Overall survival was similar to that reported in adult clinical trials. Clinical trials also need to be carried out in paediatric patients to determine the role of levosimendan in surgical practice, in order to develop and establish a clinical protocol for its use in children.


Subject(s)
Cardiotonic Agents/therapeutic use , Heart Defects, Congenital/surgery , Hydrazones/therapeutic use , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Pyridazines/therapeutic use , Cardiotonic Agents/administration & dosage , Cardiotonic Agents/adverse effects , Cardiotonic Agents/pharmacology , Child, Preschool , Comorbidity , Compassionate Use Trials , Coronary Circulation/drug effects , Down Syndrome/complications , Drug Evaluation , Female , Heart Defects, Congenital/mortality , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Humans , Hydrazones/administration & dosage , Hydrazones/adverse effects , Hydrazones/pharmacology , Hypotension/chemically induced , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Myocardial Ischemia/prevention & control , Postoperative Complications/mortality , Potassium Channels/drug effects , Pyridazines/administration & dosage , Pyridazines/adverse effects , Pyridazines/pharmacology , Retrospective Studies , Salvage Therapy , Simendan , Tachycardia/chemically induced
13.
Ann Med ; 54(1): 933-940, 2022 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35377264

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies carried out into empathy in physiotherapists. Burnout can debilitate the quality of care and the efficacy of treatment as the empathetic capacity of the professional diminishes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine the association between the construct burnout, empathy and sociodemographic aspects in Spanish physiotherapists. METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic survey including the Maslach Burnout Inventory (for burnout assessment), the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (for empathy assessment) and sociodemographic data was answered by 461 Spanish physical therapists. A descriptive, bivariate and lineal regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: There was an association between burnout and empathy. Specifically, higher levels of burnout are associated with lower levels of empathy, whilst years of work experience is associated with lower levels of burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study contribute to a greater understanding of the relationship between the level of burnout and the dimensions of empathy in physiotherapists. The influence of burnout, which causes difficulties in the mobilization of the professional towards the establishment of a quality therapeutic relationship, is highlighted.KEY MESSAGESEmotional exhaustion is associated to greater personal discomfort and less empathy.The depersonalization is associated to personal discomfort and less empathy.Depersonalization is negatively associated to the lack of perspective.


Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional , Physical Therapists , Burnout, Professional/epidemiology , Burnout, Professional/psychology , Burnout, Psychological , Cross-Sectional Studies , Empathy , Humans , Physical Therapists/psychology
14.
Actas Esp Psiquiatr ; 39(1): 75-8, 2011.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21274825

ABSTRACT

The symptom of depersonalization is frequently associated with other mental disorders, physiological effects of substances or medical diseases. However, it is rare that, as in the case presented, the experiences of depersonalization form an isolated entity, a primary depersonalization disorder. Among the many psychoactive drugs studied, none of them has been shown to be the treatment of choice. Among those with which the best results are obtained are opioid receptor antagonists (naloxone and naltrexone), the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with lamotrigine and clorimipramine. Although with virtually no evidence, we are presenting a case that responded spectacularly to methylphenidate.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Stimulants/therapeutic use , Depersonalization/drug therapy , Methylphenidate/therapeutic use , Adult , Female , Humans
16.
Rev Clin Esp ; 210(7): 342-9, 2010.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20546723

ABSTRACT

Osteoporosis in men continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. Its presence makes it necessary to rule out predisposing conditions and diseases. General prevention measures should be recommended and when necessary also supplementation with 1200mg/day of calcium and at least 800IU/day of vitamin D. Bisphosphonates, specifically alendronate (ALN) and risedronate (RSN), are the treatment of choice in men with osteoporosis. In severe cases with high risk of fracture and in patients with therapeutic failure with the bisphosphonates or who do not tolerate these drugs, the use of teriparatide may be recommended. The evidence available suggests that anti-fracture efficacy of treatment with ALN, RSN and teriparatide is similar in both genders. Androgens are only justified if there is clinical hypogonadism. Even in this case, bisphosphonates or teriparatide should probably be associated if the risk of fracture is very high in spite of androgen replacement.


Subject(s)
Osteoporosis , Adult , Algorithms , Humans , Male , Osteoporosis/diagnosis , Osteoporosis/therapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic
17.
Eur Neurol ; 62(4): 219-30, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19628941

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have made references to prolonged treatment with phenytoin as a possible risk factor in the development of osteoporosis and/or osteomalacia. We studied a group of 30 epileptic patients who were under long-term treatment with phenytoin (DPH) in an ambulatory regimen. We found the prevalence of osteoporosis to be 3.3% and of osteopenia to be 56.6%, affecting predominantly the femur, without any significant decrease in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine. These patients were showing signs of bone turnover uncoupling with increases in bone resorption markers. At this time, they also exhibited slight alterations in their phosphocalcium metabolism with trends to hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism that was found not to be caused by a vitamin D deficiency as the serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)(2)D were normal. With the aims of corroborating these results and to investigate the physiopathological effects on the bone induced by anticonvulsant drugs we developed a further experimental study in which we administered DPH over a 6-week period with a dose of 5 g/kg/day to male Wistar rats that were in the growth phase. This treatment produced a decrease in overall BMD and bone mineral content in the femur. We did not find osteomalacia in the vertebral biopsy, but the administration of DPH to these animals decreased trabecular volume as well as lessened the thickness of osteoid edges together with an uncoupling in bone turnover. There was also a marked decrease in bone formation and a tendency towards increased bone resorption. We have also found a decrease in resistance to fracture by torsion in the biomechanical assay, which translates into an increase in bone fragility. In these male Wistar rats, the administration of DPH produced a tendency towards increasing the markers of resorption and, though changes in serum levels of calcium and phosphorus were not observed, to provoke an increase in the parathyroid hormone levels; with normal levels of 1,25(OH)(2)D which has produced the same inclination in rats as in humans.


Subject(s)
Bone Density/drug effects , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/chemically induced , Bone and Bones/drug effects , Phenytoin/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Animals , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/blood , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Epilepsy/blood , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Female , Femur/drug effects , Femur/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Minerals/metabolism , Patient Selection , Phenytoin/blood , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Spine/drug effects , Spine/metabolism , Torsion, Mechanical
18.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther ; 32(1): 84-92, 2009 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19121466

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of 2 physiotherapy programs designed to improve flexibility and to reduce the impact of the illness and pain perception in women with the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), and compared the effects of the 2 programs in the short and intermediate term. METHODS: Twenty FMS patients were randomly assigned to 2 training groups, one following a program of kinesiotherapy and active muscular stretching and one using techniques of Global Myofascial Physiotherapy, according to the Mézières method. Both groups met twice a week for 12 weeks, for a total of 150 minutes each week. Flexibility and illness impact were measured by means of a standard test, whereas pain was assessed by means of thumb palpation. Measurements were taken at the beginning and end of the program and 24 weeks after its end. RESULTS: Patients had achieved a statistically significant reduction in the severity of the disease and improved their flexibility level by the end of the program, but had returned to initial values after follow-up. Significant differences were not observed between the 2 treatment groups in the initial values or in the results at the end of the program or after the follow-up, so neither program proved better than the other. CONCLUSION: The FMS patients in this study improved their flexibility level and general well-being using both kinesiotherapy and stretching exercises techniques.


Subject(s)
Fibromyalgia/therapy , Anxiety/therapy , Female , Fibromyalgia/physiopathology , Fibromyalgia/psychology , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology , Pain Measurement , Physical Therapy Modalities , Pilot Projects , Severity of Illness Index
19.
Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol ; 84(5): 267-70, 2009 May.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19466689

ABSTRACT

CLINICAL CASE: A 69-year-old woman developed choroidal metastasis from a breast carcinoma 2 years after the initial diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy. After treatment with palliative chemotherapy and external radiotherapy, we used fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the resolution of the serous retinal detachment, as well as a later relapse in the optic nerve. DISCUSSION: OCT is useful in the follow-up of choroidal metastasis after treatment. However, OCT imaging is limited by the initial choroidal location of metastasis. The autofluorescence can detect exudative tumoral activity even without obvious changes in OCT or FA.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/secondary , Choroid Neoplasms/secondary , Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/complications , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/radiotherapy , Choroid Neoplasms/complications , Choroid Neoplasms/diagnosis , Choroid Neoplasms/drug therapy , Choroid Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Combined Modality Therapy , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Cyclophosphamide/analogs & derivatives , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Female , Fluorescein Angiography , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Humans , Lymph Node Excision , Mastectomy, Radical , Optic Nerve Neoplasms/secondary , Palliative Care , Retinal Detachment/etiology , Tomography, Optical Coherence
20.
Rev Neurol ; 68(10): 426-430, 2019 May 16.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31070234

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The relevance of the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus in the prevention of rejection and graft-versus-host disease in transplanted patients is beyond all doubt. However, tacrolimus often has neurotoxic effects, including severe conditions such as posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old male who had undergone a kidney transplantation five years earlier, for which he was receiving treatment with tacrolimus and mycophenolate. He also had advanced Parkinson's disease, treated with several dopamine agonists. The patient visited the emergency department after a week-long history of visual hallucinations, delirium, expansive mood, confusion and headache. The focal psychogeriatric examination revealed psychosis secondary to dopaminergic agonists as the first diagnostic option, without excluding other possible iatrogenic causes despite the tacrolimus being within the therapeutic range (8.3 ng/mL). Both cranial computed tomography, which did not show any significant findings, and a magnetic resonance scan, in which a bilateral parietooccipital oedema was observed, were performed, this latter finding being compatible with posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. While the patient was in hospital, tacrolimus was replaced by everolimus, and the dopaminergic medication was adjusted, resulting in a swift and full remission of the clinical signs and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome should be considered in patients with a history of organ transplantation treated with immunosuppressive drugs who have an acute onset condition with neurological or psychiatric symptoms.


TITLE: Sindrome de leucoencefalopatia posterior reversible en un paciente con enfermedad de Parkinson y sintomatologia inicial psiquiatrica: una presentacion clinica compleja.Introduccion. La relevancia del farmaco inmunosupresor tacrolimus en la prevencion del rechazo y la enfermedad de injerto contra huesped en pacientes trasplantados es indiscutible. Sin embargo, con frecuencia, el tacrolimus presenta efectos neurotoxicos, incluyendo cuadros graves, como el sindrome de leucoencefalopatia posterior reversible. Caso clinico. Varon de 75 años, con antecedentes de trasplante renal hace cinco años, en tratamiento con tacrolimus y micofenolato, y de enfermedad de Parkinson avanzada, en tratamiento con varios agonistas dopaminergicos. Acudio a urgencias por un cuadro de una semana de evolucion consistente en alucinaciones visuales, delirios, animo expansivo, confusion y cefalea. La exploracion psicogeriatrica por focos mostro como primera opcion diagnostica una psicosis secundaria a agonistas dopaminergicos, sin excluir otras causas yatrogenas a pesar de encontrarse el tacrolimus en el rango terapeutico (8,3 ng/mL). Se realizaron una tomografia computarizada craneal, que no mostro hallazgos significativos, y una resonancia magnetica, en la que se visualizo un edema parietooccipital bilateral, hallazgo compatible con un sindrome de leucoencefalopatia posterior reversible. Durante el ingreso se sustituyo el tacrolimus por everolimus y se ajusto la medicacion dopaminergica, con lo que se produjo de forma rapida una remision completa del cuadro. Conclusiones. El diagnostico de sindrome de leucoencefalopatia posterior reversible debe considerarse en los pacientes con antecedentes de trasplante de organo en tratamiento con farmacos inmunosupresores que presentan un cuadro de instauracion aguda con sintomas neurologicos o psiquiatricos.


Subject(s)
Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Mental Disorders/chemically induced , Mental Disorders/complications , Parkinson Disease/complications , Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome/chemically induced , Tacrolimus/adverse effects , Aged , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome/diagnosis
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