Significados atribuídos por mulheres com câncer de mama ao grupo de apoio / Meanings attributed by women with breast cancer to a support group / Significados atribuidos por las mujeres con cáncer de mama al grupo de apoyo

A sobrevivência ao câncer de mama é um problema de saúde pública que demanda serviços especializados com foco na reabilitação psicossocial. Entre as necessidades identificadas nesse contexto está o incentivo à adoção de estratégias de promoção de autocuidados pelas mulheres. Uma das estratégias adotadas consiste no grupo de apoio psicológico, que auxilia as pacientes a enfrentar a longa jornada do tratamento. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é compreender os significados produzidos por mulheres com câncer de mama sobre sua participação em um grupo de apoio. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório realizado com dez mulheres com câncer de mama usuárias de um serviço de reabilitação para mastectomizadas. Como referencial metodológico foi utilizada a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista aberta em profundidade e os conteúdos foram transcritos e codificados. A análise indutiva e o método de comparação constante foram aplicados nos processos de codificação aberta, axial e seletiva, que permitiram identificar três categorias nucleares: percepção das atividades realizadas no grupo, identificação de benefícios e barreiras do convívio no grupo e transformações decorrentes da participação. As participantes significaram sua presença no grupo como fonte de acolhimento, apoio, desenvolvimento de recursos pessoais e amizades, contribuindo para promover sua qualidade de sobrevida. Além dos potenciais benefícios, também foram identificadas barreiras que podem dificultar a adesão e continuidade da participação no grupo, o que sugere a necessidade de incorporar no cuidado um olhar para as dimensões subjetivas da saúde da mulher.(AU)

Surviving breast cancer is a public health problem and depends on services focused on psychosocial rehabilitation. Healthcare providers must encourage women to adopt strategies to promote their self-care. The psychological support group is a resource that helps women to face the long journey of treatment. This study aimed to understand the meanings women with breast cancer produced about their participation in a support group. This exploratory cross-sectional study was carried out with 10 women with breast cancer who use a rehabilitation service for mastectomized patients. Grounded Theory was used as a methodological reference. An open in-depth interview was applied for data collection. The contents were transcribed and coded. Inductive analysis and the constant comparison method were applied in the open, axial, and selective coding processes, which enabled the identification of three core categories: perception of the activities carried out in the group, identification of benefits and barriers of living in the group, and transformations resulting from participation. Participants denote their involvement with the group as a source of shelter, support, development of personal resources and friendships that helps promoting quality of life. Besides these potential benefits, participants also evinced barriers that can hinder adherence and continuity of participation in the group, suggesting the importance of incorporating a look at the subjective dimensions of women's health into care.(AU)

Sobrevivir al cáncer de mama es un problema de salud pública que depende de los servicios centrados en la rehabilitación psicosocial. Entre las necesidades identificadas en esta materia se encuentra el uso de estrategias para promover el autocuidado. Uno de los recursos que ayuda a afrontar el largo camino del tratamiento es el grupo de apoyo psicológico. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer los significados que producen las mujeres con cáncer de mama sobre su participación en un grupo de apoyo. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, realizado con diez mujeres con cáncer de mama usuarias de un servicio de rehabilitación para mastectomizadas. Como referencia metodológica se utilizó la teoría fundamentada en los datos. Se aplicó una entrevista abierta en profundidad para la recogida de datos, cuyos contenidos fueron transcritos y codificados. El análisis inductivo y el método de comparación constante se aplicaron en los procesos de codificación abierta, axial y selectiva, lo que permitió identificar tres categorías centrales: percepción de las actividades realizadas en el grupo, identificación de los beneficios y las barreras de vivir en el grupo y transformaciones resultantes de la participación. Las mujeres denotan su participación en el grupo como una fuente de acogida, apoyo, desarrollo de recursos personales y amistades, que ayuda a promover la calidad de vida. Además de los beneficios potenciales, también se identificaron barreras que pueden dificultar la adherencia y continuidad de la participación en el grupo, lo que sugiere la necesidad de incorporar en la atención una mirada centrada en las dimensiones subjetivas de la salud de las mujeres.(AU)

Assessing the Potential for Patient-led Surveillance After Treatment of Localized Melanoma (MEL-SELF): A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Patient-led surveillance is a promising new model of follow-up care following excision of localized melanoma. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patient-led surveillance in patients with prior localized primary cutaneous melanoma is as safe, feasible, and acceptable as clinician-led surveillance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a pilot for a randomized clinical trial at 2 specialist-led clinics in metropolitan Sydney, Australia, and a primary care skin cancer clinic managed by general practitioners in metropolitan Newcastle, Australia. The participants were 100 patients who had been treated for localized melanoma, owned a smartphone, had a partner to assist with skin self-examination (SSE), and had been routinely attending scheduled follow-up visits. The study was conducted from November 1, 2018, to January 17, 2020, with analysis performed from September 1, 2020, to November 15, 2020. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized (1:1) to 6 months of patient-led surveillance (the intervention comprised usual care plus reminders to perform SSE, patient-performed dermoscopy, teledermatologist assessment, and fast-tracked unscheduled clinic visits) or clinician-led surveillance (the control was usual care). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the proportion of eligible and contacted patients who were randomized. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes (eg, SSE knowledge, attitudes, and practices, psychological outcomes, other health care use) and clinical outcomes (eg, clinic visits, skin surgeries, subsequent new primary or recurrent melanoma). RESULTS: Of 326 patients who were eligible and contacted, 100 (31%) patients (mean [SD] age, 58.7 [12.0] years; 53 [53%] men) were randomized to patient-led (n = 49) or clinician-led (n = 51) surveillance. Data were available on patient-reported outcomes for 66 participants and on clinical outcomes for 100 participants. Compared with clinician-led surveillance, patient-led surveillance was associated with increased SSE frequency (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; 95% CI, 0.9 to 14.0) and thoroughness (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.8 to 5.7), had no detectable adverse effect on psychological outcomes (fear of cancer recurrence subscale score; mean difference, -1.3; 95% CI, -3.1 to 0.5), and increased clinic visits (risk ratio [RR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.1), skin lesion excisions (RR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6 to 2.0), and subsequent melanoma diagnoses and subsequent melanoma diagnoses (risk difference, 10%; 95% CI, -2% to 23%). New primary melanomas and 1 local recurrence were diagnosed in 8 (16%) of the participants in the intervention group, including 5 (10%) ahead of routinely scheduled visits; and in 3 (6%) of the participants in the control group, with none (0%) ahead of routinely scheduled visits (risk difference, 10%; 95% CI, 2% to 19%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This pilot of a randomized clinical trial found that patient-led surveillance after treatment of localized melanoma appears to be safe, feasible, and acceptable. Experiences from this pilot study have prompted improvements to the trial processes for the larger trial of the same intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12616001716459.

Differentiated thyroid cancer clinical trends in Quito, Ecuador / Tendencias clínicas del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides en Quito, Ecuador

Introduction.Thyroid cancer is currently the first most common cancer in women in Ecuador. This study aimed to assess the changes in clinical presentation and diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer at a third level hospital in Quito, Ecuador.Methods and Materials.This is a retrospective case series performed in three consecutive periods from 1990 to 2019 at a tertiary level hospital, in Quito, Ecuador. The clinical records of 875 patients who had been diagnosed and surgically treated for differentiated thyroid cancer were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, imaging, and pathological data were collected and analyzed.Results. Significant trends toward older age, higher educational level, less palpable primary tumors, less palpable neck nodes, less distant metastases, more ultrasound, tomography and cytology exams, smaller primary tumors, more stage I patients, and more histological variant description, were found. Introduction.Thyroid cancer is currently the first most common cancer in women in Ecuador. This study aimed to assess the changes in clinical presentation and diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer at a third level hospital in Quito, Ecuador.Methods and Materials.This is a retrospective case series performed in three consecutive periods from 1990 to 2019 at a tertiary level hospital, in Quito, Ecuador. The clinical records of 875 patients who had been diagnosed and surgically treated for differentiated thyroid cancer were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, imaging, and pathological data were collected and analyzed.Results. Significant trends toward older age, higher educational level, less palpable primary tumors, less palpable neck nodes, less distant metastases, more ultrasound, tomography and cytology exams, smaller primary tumors, more stage I patients, and more histological variant description, were found.

Introducción. El cáncer de tiroides es actualmente el cáncer más frecuente en la mujer en Ecuador. El presente estudio ha tenido como objetivo evaluar los cambios en la presentación clínica y el diagnóstico del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides en un hospital de tercer nivel de Quito, Ecuador. Material y Métodos. El presente es un estudio retrospectivo de casos realizado en tres períodos consecutivos desde 1990 a 2019 en un hospital del tercer nivel en Quito, Ecuador. Los expedientes clínicos de 875 pacientes tratados quirúrgicamente por un cáncer diferenciado de tiroides fueron revisados. Los datos demográficos, clínicos, de imagen y patología fueron extraídos y analizados. Resultados. Se encontraron tendencias significativas hacia una edad más avanzada, nivel educativo más alto, menos tumores palpables, menos adenopatías regionales palpables, menos metástasis a distancia, más exámenes de ultrasonido y tomografía, más estudios de citología, más tumores pequeños y pacientes con estadío I y más descripciones de las variantes histológicas. Conclusiones. El cáncer de tiroides no sólo que ha aumentado continuamente en su frecuencia en los años recientes, sino que la presentación clínica, el manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico ha cambiado significativamente en las tres últimas décadas.

Understanding Patients' Perspectives and Information Needs Following a Positive Home Human Papillomavirus Self-Sampling Kit Result.

OBJECTIVE: We explored patient perspectives after a positive human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling result to describe experiences and information needs for this home-based screening modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited women who tested high-risk (hr) HPV positive during a pragmatic trial evaluating mailed hrHPV self-sampling kits as an outreach strategy for women overdue for Pap screening in a U.S. integrated health care system. Telephone interviews were conducted from 2014 to 2017. Five independent coders analyzed transcripts using iterative content analysis. RESULTS: Forty-six women (61% of invited; median age 55.5 years) completed a semistructured interview. Six themes emerged: (1) convenience of home-based screening, (2) intense feelings and emotions after receiving positive kit results, (3) importance of seeing provider and discussing kit results, (4) information seeking from various sources, (5) confusion about purpose and meaning of HPV versus Pap tests, and (6) concern that HPV self-sampling is inaccurate when the subsequent Pap test is normal. CONCLUSIONS: Although women liked the kit's convenience, discussion about discordant home HPV and in-clinic Pap results led them to question the accuracy of HPV self-sampling. Patient-provider communication around home HPV kits is more complex than for reflex or cotesting because clinician-collected Pap results are unknown at the time of the positive kit result. Patients need education about differences between HPV and Pap tests and how they are used for screening and follow-up. To reassure patients and keep them interested in self-sampling, education should be provided at multiple time points during the screening process.

Nuevas estrategias de prevención y control de cáncer de cuello uterino en Chile / New strategies for the prevention and control of cervical cancer in Chile

Resumen: Objetivos: Discutir el cáncer cervicouterino (CC), el virus del papiloma humano (VPH), el programa de control del CC y proponer alternativas para Chile. Material y métodos: Se analiza el programa nacional del CC 1966-2015 y la guía clínica 2015-2020, la prevalencia de VPH en mujeres y en casos de CC; la infección y serología de VPH; la autotoma; la precisión y rentabilidad del tamizaje con VPH contra el Papanicolaou y las opciones de triaje en VPH AR positivas. Resultados: En Chile mueren 600 mujeres (principalmente de bajos recursos) al año por CC. La cobertura del Papanicolaou es < 70%, sensibilidad muy inferior al test de VPH, por lo que el cambio es rentable. Desde 2015 se vacuna contra VPH a niñas menores de 13 años. Conclusiones: Las condiciones técnicas y económicas existen en Chile para lograr una mejoría sustancial del CC: se sugiere el reemplazo del Papanicolaou por el examen de VPH; tamizaje cada cinco años con opción de autotoma; triaje con base en la tipificación de VPH 16/18 o Papanicolaou.

Abstract: Objective: To discuss cervical cancer (CC), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), CC control program and propose alternatives for Chile. Materials and methods: We analyzed the national program of CC 1966-2015 and the clinical CC guideline 2015-2020; HPV prevalence in women and in cases of CC; HPV infection and serology; the self-vaginal sample; the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of screening with HPV versus Papanicolaou, and triage options among HPV-AR positives. Results: 600 women die of CC each year in Chile, mainly from low resources. Papanicolaou coverage is <70%; Papanicolaou sensitivity is much lower than HPV test. Change from Papanicolaou to HPV test is cost-effective. Since 2015, girls under 13 have been vaccinated against HPV. Conclusions: There are the technical and economic conditions for a substantial improvement of CC in Chile: replacement of the Papanicolaou by HPV; screening every five years, with the option of self-sampling, and triage based on HPV 16/18 or Papanicolaou typing.

[New strategies for the prevention and control of cervical cancer in Chile.] / Nuevas estrategias de prevención y control de cáncer de cuello uterino en Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss cervical cancer (CC), Human PapillomaVirus (HPV),CC control program and propose alternatives for Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the national program of CC 1966-2015 and the clinical CC guideline 2015-2020;HPV prevalence in women and in cases of CC; HPV infection and serology; the self-vaginal sample; the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of screening with HPV versus Papanicolaou,and triage options among HPV-AR positives. RESULTS: 600 women die of CC each year in Chile, mainly from low resources. Papanicolaou coverage is <70%; Papanicolaou sensitivity is much lowerthan HPV test.Change from Papanicolaou to HPV test is cost-effective. Since 2015, girls under 13 have been vaccinated against HPV. CONCLUSIONS: .There are the technical and economic conditions for a substantial improvement of CC in Chile: replacement of the Papanicolaou by HPV; screening every five years, with the option of self-sampling, and triage based on HPV 16/18 or Papanicolaou typing.

OBJETIVO: Discutir el cáncer cervicouterino (CC), el virus del papiloma humano (VPH),el programa de control del CC y proponer alternativas para Chile. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analiza el programa nacional del CC 1966-2015 y la guía clínica 2015-2020, la prevalencia deVPH en mujeres y en casos de CC; la infección y serología deVPH; la autotoma; la precisión y rentabilidad del tamizaje con VPH contra el Papanicolaou y las opciones de triaje enVPH AR positivas. RESULTADOS: En Chile mueren 600 mujeres (principalmente de bajos recursos) al año por CC. La cobertura del Papanicolaou es <70%, sensibilidad muy inferior al test de VPH, por lo que el cambio esrentable.Desde 2015 se vacuna contraVPH a niñas menores de 13 años. CONCLUSIONES: Las condiciones técnicas y económicas existen en Chile para lograr una mejoría sustancial del CC:se sugiere el reemplazo del Papanicolaou por el examen deVPH;tamizaje cada cinco años con opción de autotoma; triaje con base en la tipificación deVPH 16/18 o Papanicolaou.

Knowledge and practices of primary care providers on skin cancer and skin self-examination / Conhecimento e práticas dos provedores de cuidados primários sobre o câncer de pele e o autoexame da pele / Conocimiento y prácticas de los proveedores de cuidados primarios acerca del cáncer de piel y el autoexamen de la piel

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the knowledge and practices related to skin cancer and skin self-examination of primary care providers. Method This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Turkey. The study was carried out in primary health centers such as family health centers, community health centers, early cancer detection centers and family planning centers in 2016-2017. Participants' socio-demographic characteristics, their knowledge and practices related to skin cancer, skin cancer risk factors and skin self-examination were determined. Results The study population included 94 primary care providers. The symptoms of which the participants were most aware were changes in the color of moles or skin spots (95.71%), and of which participants were the least aware was the itching of a mole (71.43%). Among participants, the most recognized risk factor was having fair skin (97.14%), whereas the least known was the presence of birthmarks (24.29%). The mean scores the participants obtained from the questionnaire were as follows: 5.39±1.61 for skin cancer risk factors and 10.47±2.73 for skin cancer symptoms. Of the participants, 14.29% received training on skin self-examination, 38.57% knew how to perform skin self-examination, and 67.14% did not perform skin self-examination. Of the participants, 61.7% did not perform skin self-examination because they did not know what to look for. Of the participants, 85.71% did not have continuing education/workshop about skin self-examination after graduation. Conclusion Although the primary care providers' knowledge of skin cancer symptoms was adequate, their knowledge of skin cancer risk factors was not sufficient. Primary care providers' knowledge of skin self-examination was good, but they did not perform skin self-examination adequately.

RESUMO Objetivo Determinar o conhecimento dos provedores de cuidados primários e suas práticas relacionadas com o câncer de pele e o autoexame da pele. Método Este estudo descritivo transversal foi conduzido na Turquia. O estudo foi realizado em centros de saúde primários, tais como centros de saúde da família, centros de saúde comunitários, centros de detecção precoce do câncer e centros de planejamento familiar em 2016-2017. As características sociodemográficas dos participantes, seu conhecimento e práticas relacionados com o câncer de pele, fatores de risco para o câncer de pele e o autoexame da pele foram determinados. Resultados A população do estudo incluiu 94 provedores de cuidados primários. Os sintomas dos quais os participantes estiveram mais conscientes foram mudanças na cor das pintas ou manchas na pele (95,71%) e dos quais os participantes estiveram menos conscientes foi a coceira em uma pinta (71,43%). Entre os participantes, o fator de risco mais reconhecido foi ter pele clara (97,14%), ao passo que o menos conhecido foi a presença de marcas de nascença (24,29%). Os principais scores que os participantes obtiveram do questionário foram os seguintes: 5,39±1,61 para fatores de risco para câncer de pele e 10,47±2,73 para sintomas de câncer de pele. Dos participantes, 14,29% receberam treinamento sobre autoexame, 38,57% sabiam como realizar o autoexame e 67,14% não realizavam autoexame de pele. Dos participantes, 61,7% não realizavam autoexame porque não sabiam o que procurar. Dos participantes, 85,71% não tiveram educação continuada/workshop sobre autoexame de pele após a graduação. Conclusão Embora o conhecimento dos provedores de cuidados primários sobre os sintomas do câncer de pele foi adequado, seu conhecimento dos fatores de risco para o câncer de pele não foi suficiente. O conhecimento dos provedores de cuidados primários sobre o autoexame da pele foi bom, mas eles não realizaram o autoexame da pele adequadamente.

RESUMEN Objetivo Conocimiento y prácticas de los proveedores de cuidados primarios y sus prácticas relacionadas con el cáncer de piel y el autoexamen de la piel. Método Este estudio descriptivo transversal fue conducido en Turquía. El estudio fue llevado a cabo en centros de salud primaria, tales como centros de salud de la familia, centros de salud comunitarios, centros de detección precoz del cáncer y centros de planificación familiar en 2016-2017. Las características sociodemográficas de los participantes, su conocimiento y prácticas relacionadas con el cáncer de piel, factores de riesgo para el cáncer de piel y el autoexamen de la piel fueron determinados. Resultados La población del estudio incluyó a 94 proveedores de cuidados primarios. Los síntomas de los que los participantes estuvieron más enterados fueron los cambios en el color de los lunares o manchas en la piel (95,71%) y de los que los participantes estuvieron menos enterados fue la picazón en un lunar (71,43%). Entre los participantes, el factor de riesgo más reconocido fue tener piel clara (97,14%), mientras que el menos conocido fue la presencia de marcas de nacimiento (24,29%). Los principales scores que los participantes obtuvieron del cuestionario fueron los siguientes: 5,39±1,61 para factores de riesgo para cáncer de piel y 10,47±2,73 para síntomas de cáncer de piel. De los participantes, el 14,29% recibieron entrenamiento acerca del autoexamen, el 38,57% sabían cómo realizar el autoexamen y el 67,14% no realizaban el autoexamen de la piel. De los participantes, el 61,7% no realizaban el autoexamen porque no sabían qué buscar. De los participantes, el 85,71% no tuvieron educación continuada/taller sobre autoexamen de la piel después del grado académico. Conclusión Aunque el conocimiento de los proveedores de cuidados primarios acerca de los síntomas del cáncer de piel fue adecuado, su conocimiento de los factores de riesgo para el cáncer de piel no fue suficiente. El conocimiento de los proveedores de cuidados primarios acerca del autoexamen de la piel fue bueno, pero ellos no llevaron a cabo el autoexamen de la piel adecuadamente.

Laughing in the Face of Fear (of Disease Detection): Using Humor to Promote Cancer Self-Examination Behavior.

This research examines the possible benefit of using humor to reduce anxiety associated with performing cancer self-examination behaviors. In Study 1, 187 undergraduates read a humorous public service announcement (PSA) script promoting either breast or testicular self-exams. Results suggest that perception of humor reduced anxiety about self-exams, which, in turn, related to more positive self-exam attitudes. Simultaneously, humor perception associated with greater message processing motivation, which, in turn, associated with more supportive self-exam attitudes. Self-exam attitudes also positively associated with self-exam intentions. These results were largely replicated in Study 2. Further, self-exam intentions predicted self-exam behavior 1 week later. However, consistent with past research, the humorous and serious messages did not generate differences in subsequent self-exam behavior, though the intention-behavior relationship was stronger and significant for those exposed to the humorous versus the serious messages. In light of these findings, and given that humor has the advantage of attracting and holding attention in real message environments, the use of carefully constructed humor appeals may be a viable message strategy to promote health detection behaviors.

[Estimation on the reliability and validity of the fatigue self-assessment scale].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reliability and validity of the Fatigue Self-assessment Scale (FSAS). METHODS: The scale was applied among the participants assigned to 4 groups, the differences in types, degrees and characteristics of fatigue of them were compared, and the reliability and constitutional validity of ESAS were assessed by internal consistency analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis using the statistical software of SPSS and LISREL. RESULTS: Statistical differences of types, degrees and characteristics of fatigue presented in the participants of the 4 groups. The Cronbach's alpha of various factors in the scale were 0.772-0.908; the indexes for the section of assessing type, and degree of fatigue were RMSEA=0.065, NNFI=0.95, CFI=0.96; and those for the section of assessing characteristics of fatigue were: RMSEA=0.10, NNFI=0.93, CFI=0.96. CONCLUSION: The FSAS has good differentiability, reliability and constitutional validity for assessing the type, degree and characteristics of fatigue in various populations. In order to explore the relationship of TCM syndrome patterns with the type, degree and characteristics of fatigue, its future application for evaluation of fatigue and intervention effect of anti-fatigue should be combined with TCM syndrome differentiation.

Diferentes utilidades de la automedición de la presión arterial domiciliaria en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la hipertensión arterial / Different uses of home blood pressure measurement in the diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension

Objetivo. Observar diferencias entre las mediciones clínicas y las automediciones de presión arterial (AMPA) domiciliarias. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo realizado en la población general censal. Emplazamiento. Atención primaria. Participantes. Mediante muestreo aleatorio estratificado se seleccionó una muestra de 1.411 sujetos ≥ 18 años. Métodos. Una enfermera adiestrada realizó 3 mediciones de PA en la consulta (PAC) y entrenó a los pacientes o sus familiares para la realización de AMPA; hicieron 12 en un día. Las mediciones de la PAC y la AMPA domiciliaria se realizaron con un aparato electrónico (OMRON 705CP). Resultados. Completaron 12 AMPA un total de 1.184 sujetos (52% mujeres) con una edad media de 47,6 ± 17,2 años. De ellos, 195 eran hipertensos conocidos. Se diagnosticó efecto de bata blanca en un 14,9% de los normotensos, un 22,3% de los hipertensos tratados y un 57,6% de los sujetos con sospecha de hipertensión clínica aislada. Se diagnosticó posible hipertensión clínica aislada en el 10% de los sujetos no hipertensos y posible normotensión de bata blanca en el 2,3% de los no tratados y en el 4,7% de los hipertensos tratados. Un 20,7% de los hipertensos tratados mal controlados en la consulta fue considerado como seudorrefractario (el 11,4% al final del intervalo de dosificación). Un 77% de los sujetos se hizo las automediciones a sí mismo, y un 89% de ellos consideró fácil su realización. Conclusión. La incorporación de la automedición domiciliaria en la práctica clínica diaria podría evitar un 20-30% de posibles errores en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes hipertensos

Objective. To find differences between measurements of clinical blood pressure and self-monitored home blood pressure measurement (HBPM). Design. Descriptive study developed in a general population census. Setting. Primary care. Subjects. A total of 1411 subjects ≥18 years old were selected by stratified randomized sampling. Methods. A skilled nurse made 3 clinical blood pressure (CBP) measurements, and trained patients or their relatives in HBPM, doing 12 in one day. CBP and HBPM employed an electronic device (OMRON 705CP). Results. A total of 12 HBPM from 1184 subjects (52% women) were completed, with a mean age of 47.6 (SD, 17.2); 195 subjects were known to have hypertension. White-coat effect was diagnosed in 14.9% of subjects with normal pressure, 22.3% of hypertense patients treated and 57.6% of subjects with suspicion of isolated clinical hypertension. Possible isolated clinical hypertension was diagnosed in 10% of subjects without hypertension. White Coat normal pressure was found in 2.3% of untreated subjects and 4.7% of subjects with treated hypertension. 20.7% of subjects with hypertension poorly controlled in the clinic were considered pseudo-refractory (11.4% at the end of dosage interval). 77% of subjects conducted HBPM on their own and 89% thought it easy to do so. Conclusion. Incorporation of HBPM into daily medical practice could avoid 20%-30% of possible mistakes in diagnosis and monitoring of hypertense patients

Prevalence and correlates of sun protection and skin self-examination practices among cutaneous malignant melanoma survivors.

Little is known about the level of engagement and correlates of sun protection and skin self-exam among individuals diagnosed with melanoma. Participants (N = 229) completed measures of skin self-exam and sun protection practice and knowledge and attitudes. Approximately eighty-four percent of patients reported engaging in skin self-examination at least once in the past year. Engagement in sun protection practices was moderate. Self-exam practice was associated with gender, physician recommendation about self-exam, and perceived benefits and barriers of self-exam. Sun protection was associated with gender, age, medical status and health care access, physician recommendation, knowledge, and a number of psychological factors. Behavioral interventions to improve skin surveillance and sun protection may benefit from an emphasis on physician education regarding self-exam and sun protection, education regarding the efficacy of sunscreen and the risks associated with sunbathing, reducing perceived barriers to self-exam and sun protection, and reducing reliance on social influences on sun protection practices.

Thorough skin self-examination in patients with melanoma.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine the feasibility of using Weinstock et al.'s thorough skin self-examination (TSSE) assessment in patients with melanoma, to describe TSSE characteristics of patients with melanoma, and to explore associations of personal and disease variables with TSSE. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive feasibility study; part of a larger study of melanoma in families. SETTING: Outpatient melanoma clinics in a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. SAMPLE: Purposive sample of 70 predominantly white participants (47% women, 53% men), with a mean age of 65 years (SD = 11 years) and pathologically confirmed cutaneous melanoma (any stage). METHODS: Weinstock et al.'s TSSE assessment (self-report of the number of times patients examined the surface of seven specific body areas during the prior two months) and items regarding partnered TSSE and skin examination from healthcare providers. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Frequency of TSSE and healthcare provider skin examination, partnered TSSE, and reasons for not performing TSSE. FINDINGS: Forty-one (59%) participants reported performing TSSE; by Weinstock et al.'s criteria, only 23 (33%) practiced TSSE. Use of a partner was significantly associated with TSSE (p = 0.001); patients indicated high rates of skin examination by healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with melanoma are at high risk for recurrent disease. TSSE contributes to early detection of melanoma. Although Weinstock et al.'s TSSE assessment is feasible for use among patients with melanoma in a clinical setting, the focus should be on examination of specific body areas, rather than global skin examination. Overall, patients with melanoma had a low frequency of TSSE; however, data regarding previous knowledge or instruction of TSSE were not collected. Involving a partner enhances the frequency of TSSE. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Patients with melanoma should be informed of the importance of conducting systematic TSSE and using a partner during examination; however, some patients may prefer skin examination by healthcare providers. Measurement of TSSE self-report merits further study.

Self-management of psychiatric symptoms using over-the-counter (OTC) psychopharmacology: the S-DTM therapeutic model--Self-diagnosis, self-treatment, self-monitoring.

Pharmacological self-management is becoming more widespread in modernizing societies, as part of a general expansion of health care. This may exert a vital corrective balance to the professionalization of health by ensuring that the individual perspective of patients is not neglected. There are many 'good ideas' for new treatments being published which have a plausible scientific rationale for effectiveness and a low likelihood of harm, yet are essentially ignored by mainstream medical research. The most likely avenue for progress is probably the spread of self-management, together with increased sharing of experience via the internet. There is considerable scope for self-management of psychiatric symptoms with psychoactive medication purchased 'over-the-counter' (OTC) and without prescription. A surprisingly wide range of effective psychoactive agents are available with the potential to self-treat many of the common psychiatric problems. These include 'medical' psychopharmacological agents such as analgesics and antihistamines, a plant extract called St. John's Wort (Hypericum), and physical treatments such as early morning bright light therapy. But self-management currently lacks an explicit therapeutic model. A three stage process of S-DTM - self-diagnosis, self-treatment and self-monitoring is proposed and described in relation to psychiatric symptoms. Self-diagnosis describes the skill of introspection to develop awareness of inner bodily states and emotions. A specific sensation is identified and isolated as the 'focal symptom' for subsequent treatment and monitoring. Self-treatment involves choosing a drug (or other therapy) which is intended to alleviate the focal symptom. Self-monitoring entails a continued awareness of the focal system and of general well-being in order to evaluate effect of therapy. Self-monitoring could involve repeated cycles of dose-adjustment, and on-off ('challenge-dechallenge-rechallenge') therapeutic trials. An example of S-DTM applied to psychiatry might include the attempt to alleviate the fatigue and malaise symptoms underlying a 'depressed' mood by using OTC analgesics such as aspirin, paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen or codeine. Anxiety symptoms might be self-managed either using an 'unofficial SSRI' (selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor) such as the antihistamines diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine; or with St John's Wort/hypericum.

Role of the physician versus the patient in the detection of recurrent disease following treatment for head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Objective evidence supporting current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines regarding surveillance of patients treated for head and neck cancer is presently lacking. The study examines the relative role of current surveillance methods on disease detection in this patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized study. METHODS: Clinical information was prospectively collected in a standardized format during 3645 encounters with patients with head and neck cancer over an 18-month period. Data pertaining to visit history, symptom history, patient findings, physician findings, and disease status for each encounter were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 3645 visits, disease recurrence or new primary tumor was documented in 180 encounters (5%). Salvage therapy was thought to be feasible in at least 65% of cases. Of these 180 recurrences or new primaries, there were 142 patients (79%) who had identified new symptoms or physical findings, or both, before the physician's examination. Most commonly reported was the presence of a neck mass (38%), progressive pain (27%), or other visible lesion or ulcer (14%). Patients with recurrence represented nearly 40% of all patients reporting new symptoms or findings (142 of 367). Conversely, recurrence was rare in the absence of reported symptoms or findings (1.2%). Surprisingly, despite patients reporting new symptoms or findings, physician evaluation most commonly occurred at the patient's routine surveillance visit rather than an earlier time point (104 of 142 [73%]). CONCLUSION: Self-diagnosis of recurrent or new primary disease is extremely common by virtue of symptoms or findings noted by patients before interaction with the clinician. However, presence of symptoms or findings did not motivate the patients to seek earlier medical attention. In the absence of such symptoms, physician diagnosis of recurrence is uncommon. Given the significant social and economic impact involved in surveillance of patients with head and neck cancer, further prospective study to optimize the method and frequency of this type of clinical activity is warranted and planned.

The relation of race to outcomes and the use of health care services for acute low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Four strata of randomly selected health care providers in North Carolina (primary care MDs, Doctors of Chiropractic, orthopedic surgeons, and group model HMO primary care providers) enrolled 1633 consecutive patients with low back pain into a cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether race had an independent effect on rate of recovery from low back pain, and whether there was any racial disparity in the treatments provided to patients with low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Little research to date has examined the relation between patient race and recovery from an episode of acute low back pain. METHODS: Consecutive patients were enrolled in the provider's office and contacted by telephone at baseline, at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks, and at 22 months. RESULTS: Blacks (n = 238) at baseline had higher pain scores on a 10-point scale (5.92 vs 5.25; P< 0.01) and worse functional disability (12.1 vs 11; P= 0.04), as assessed by the 23-point Roland-Morris scale, yet were considered by their health provider as having less severe pain and less likely to have disc disease than white patients (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Blacks had worse functional disability at most follow-up interviews. Blacks were shown to be less likely to receive radiographs (49% vs 40%) or advanced imaging studies (10% vs 6%), even after controlling for income, education, baseline severity of low back pain, and insurance status (P < 0.05). Doctors of Chiropractic had different practice approaches than MDs, and there was an interaction with patient race. CONCLUSIONS: The relation of patient race to outcomes from and care for low back pain is complex. Blacks have slightly worse functional status than whites on presentation and at follow-up assessment. Blacks receive less intense diagnostic and treatment approaches from MDs, although the severity of their impairment is at least as great.

Adenomatoid Tumor of the Epididymis / 대한남성과학회지

Adenomatoid tumor is an uncommon neoplasm found mainly near or in the epididymis in the male and the fallopian tubes and ovary in the female. We observed a case of adenomatoid tumor of the epididymis, which was found incidentally 20 years ago by patient self examination. A rubbery, non-tender, 2 X 1-cm mass was found in the tail portion of the right epididymis. Scrotal ultrasonography showed a 2.1 X 1.1 X 1.2-cm hypoechoic solitary mass. Mass excisional biopsy with partial epididymectomy was done under local anesthesia. Pathologic examination showed an adenomatoid tumor.

Incidence of foot rotation, pelvic crest unleveling, and supine leg length alignment asymmetry and their relationship to self-reported back pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of pelvic unleveling, foot rotation, and supine leg length alignment asymmetry in a nonclinical population and to examine the validity (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) of these visual tests and their relationship to self-reported back pain. DESIGN: Volunteers answered a questionnaire regarding back pain and were then examined by a chiropractor who was unaware of the status of their back pain. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-four unscreened volunteers answered the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The association of visual tests with back pain and their validity indices; Visual Analogue Scale ratings. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent (n = 74) of volunteers examined had supine leg length alignment asymmetry (LLA). Pain intensity on a Visual Analogue Scale was significantly higher (P <.001) for those demonstrating supine LLA than for those without LLA. Those with back pain and recurrent back pain were significantly (P <.001) more likely to have supine LLA. The validity indices of the supine leg check showed acceptable levels for sensitivity (74%), specificity (78%), and positive predictive value (82%) [corrected] in recurrent back pain. Findings also indicated a high incidence of supine LLA in volunteers with chronic back pain (85%). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that, in this group of volunteers, the supine leg length alignment check had clinical validity as a stand-alone test for recurring back pain. Further testing on a larger, statistically defined cross-section of the population is recommended.

Treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, with nifedipine as treatment for primary or secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with primary and 27 patients with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon were assigned randomly to receive 6 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg daily) or nifedipine (40 mg daily). Following a 2-week washout period, each group was crossed over to the other treatment arm. The primary outcome variable was the frequency of attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon. Self-reported attack severity, thermographic recovery from cold challenge and plasma levels of von Willebrand factor and soluble P-selectin were also measured. RESULTS: There was a reduction in attack frequency and severity of Raynaud's phenomenon in patients treated with either fluoxetine or nifedipine, but the effect was statistically significant only in the fluoxetine-treated group (P=0.0002 for attack severity and P=0.003 for attack frequency). Subgroup analysis showed that the greatest response was seen in females and in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon. A significant improvement in the thermographic response to cold challenge was also seen in female patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon treated with fluoxetine but not in those treated with nifedipine. There was no significant treatment effect on von Willebrand factor or soluble P-selectin. No significant adverse effects occurred in the fluoxetine-treated group. CONCLUSION: This pilot study confirms the tolerability of fluoxetine and suggests that it would be effective as a novel treatment for Raynaud's phenomenon. Larger and placebo-controlled trials are warranted to assess fluoxetine's therapeutic potential further in this vasospastic condition.