A systematic review on risk factors in developing a first-time Venous Leg Ulcer.

Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) occur in about 1% of the Western population. A VLU takes 3-12 months to heal, it recurs often, and it has a negative impact on the quality of life. The risk factors for the development of a first VLU are not well-understood and prevention of a first VLU therefore remains underappreciated. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for developing a first VLU in adults (aged > 18 years) by searching the literature. We searched the Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Cinalh and Narcisto identify studies that investigated risk factors in developing a VLU. The last search was performed in January 2018. Two reviewers independently reviewed the abstracts and full-text articles, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Results of studies using duplex scanning, and comparing participants with and without VLUs were included in the qualitative analysis. Where possible a quantitative meta-analysis was conducted. We found five studies that investigated the relation of several risk factors with VLU development. The methodological differences of the studies made it impossible to perform a quantitative analysis. The risk factors higher age (four studies), higher body mass index (four studies), low physical activity (four studies), arterial hypertension (four studies), deep vein reflux (three studies), deep venous thrombosis (three studies) and family history of VLU (three studies) were significantly associated with a VLU in the majority of the studies. To what extent they influence the development of a VLU remains unclear because of the limited number of studies that investigated the association of these risk factors with VLU development, and the heterogeneity of these studies. Further studies are needed to confirm the association of these risk factors with the development of a VLU and to explore overweight and low physical activity in more detail.

Active participation of patients with type 2 diabetes in consultations with their primary care practice nurses - what helps and what hinders: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving primary care regularly visit their practice nurses (PNs). By actively participating during medical consultations, patients can better manage their disease, improving clinical outcomes and their quality of life. However, many patients with T2DM do not actively participate during medical consultations. To understand the factors affecting engagement of patients with T2DM, this study aimed to identify factors that help or hinder them from actively participating in consultations with their primary care PNs. METHODS: Two semi-structured focus groups and 12 semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with patients with T2DM (n = 20) who were undergoing treatment by primary care PNs. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a two-step approach derived from the context-mapping framework. RESULTS: Four factors were found to help encourage patients to actively participate in their consultation: developing trusting relationships with their PNs, having enough time in the appointment, deliberately preparing for consultations, and allowing for the presence of a spouse. Conversely, four factors were found to hinder patients from participating during consultations: lacking the need or motivation to participate, readjusting to a new PN, forgetting to ask questions, and ineffectively expressing their thoughts. CONCLUSION: Patients lacked the skills necessary to adequately prepare for a consultation and achieve an active role. In addition, patients' keen involvement appeared to benefit from a trusting relationship with their PNs. When active participation is impeded by barriers such as a lack of patient's skills, facilitators should be introduced at an early stage. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials NTR4693 (July 16, 2014).

The efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A systematic review and best-evidence synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a multifaceted skin disorder, affecting more than 85% of young individuals worldwide. Pharmacological therapy is not always desirable because of the development of antibiotic resistance or the potential risk of adverse effects. Non-pharmacological therapies can be viable alternatives for conventional therapies. However, sufficient evidence-based support in the efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological therapies is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of several non-pharmacological therapies in the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS: A systematic literature review, including a best-evidence synthesis, was performed to identify literature. Three electronic databases were accessed and searched for studies published between January 2000 and May 2017. RESULTS: Thirty-three eligible studies were included in our systematic review. Three main types of non-pharmacological therapies were identified laser- and light-based therapies, chemical peels and fractional microneedling radiofrequency. The majority of the included studies demonstrated a significant reduction in acne lesions. However, only seven studies had a high methodologic quality. Based on these seven trials, a best-evidence synthesis was conducted. Strong evidence was found for glycolic acid (10-40%). Moderate evidence was found for amino fruit acid (20-60%), intense pulsed light (400-700 and 870-1200 nm) and the diode laser (1450 nm). Initially, conflicting evidence was found for pulsed dye laser (585-595 nm). The most frequently reported side-effects for non-pharmacological therapies included erythema, tolerable pain, purpura, oedema and a few cases of hyperpigmentation, which were in most cases mild and transient. CONCLUSION: Circumstantial evidence was found for non-pharmacological therapies in the treatment of acne vulgaris. However, the lack of high methodological quality among included studies prevented us to draw clear conclusions, regarding a stepwise approach. Nevertheless, our systematic review including a best-evidence synthesis did create order and structure in resulting outcomes in which a first step towards future research is generated.

Clinical evidence vs preliminary speculation in newspaper coverage of diabetes innovations: a quantitative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Researchers have discussed that journalistic reporting of medical developments is often characterised by exaggeration or lack of context, but additional quantitative evidence to support this claim is needed. This study introduces a quantitative approach to assessing coverage of medical innovations, by aiming at provided references to observed clinical effects. Although observed clinical effects reflect increased chances for future medical applications, it is unknown to which extent newspaper articles refer to it when spreading health information. We aimed to assess, over a 6-year period, newspaper publication characteristics of diabetes innovations, arising from all scientific areas of interest, regarding the total count and the proportion of articles that provide references to demonstrated clinical efficacy. STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative content analysis of newspaper articles covering innovative treatments for diabetes. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of newspaper articles between 2011 and 2016 printed in the largest six Dutch newspapers. By assessing in-article references, it was possible to quickly distinguish between (1) articles that referred to actual clinical efficacy demonstrated in a scientific setting and (2) articles that presented either predictions, fundamental research, preclinical research or personal experiences and recommendations. Proportion differences between scientific areas of interest were analysed using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: A total of 613 articles were categorised. Total newspaper publication frequency increased with 9.9 articles per year (P = .031). In total, 17% of the articles contained a reference to any proven clinical efficacy. Articles about human nutrition science (7%; P = .001) and (neuro)psychology (4.3%; P = .014) less frequently provided a reference to actual clinical efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that less than one in five newspaper articles about diabetes research contains a reference to relevant clinical effects, while the publication count is increasing. These statistics may contribute to feelings of false hope and confusion in patients.

Problems with continuity of care identified by community pharmacists post-discharge.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Medication discrepancies are common at hospital discharge, and medication reconciliation is widely endorsed as a preventive strategy. However, implementation is difficult for instance due to the unreliability of patients medication histories. In the Netherlands, community pharmacies are well-informed about their patients' pre-admission medication status which enables thorough post-discharge reconciliation. Our aim was to study the frequency and nature of medication discrepancies, missing patient's knowledge and administrative problems at admission to primary care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in pharmacies belonging to the Utrecht Pharmacy Practice network for Education and Research in the Netherlands. Structured checklists were used to evaluate all discharge prescriptions presented by adult patients discharged from the hospital to their own home during the study period. The primary outcome was all possible problems with continuity of care, defined as (i) the number and type of medication discrepancies, (ii) administrative problems and (iii) the necessity for patient education. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In forty-four pharmacies, checklists were completed for 403 patients. Most discharge prescriptions (92%) led to one or more problems with continuity of care (n = 1154, mean 2·9 ± 2·0), divided into medication discrepancies (31%), administrative problems (34%) and necessity for further education (35%). Medication discrepancies (n = 356) resulted mainly from missing pre-admission medication (n = 106) and dose regimen changes (n = 55) on the discharge prescription. Administrative problems (n = 392) originated mainly from administrative incompleteness (n = 177), for example missing reimbursement authorization forms, or supply issues (n = 150), for example insufficient pharmacy stock. The patients' lack of medication knowledge post-discharge was illustrated by the high need for patient education (n = 406). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Community pharmacists are still confronted with problems due to inadequate documentation at discharge which can inflict harm to patients if not properly addressed. To reduce these problems, a rigorous implementation of the medication reconciliation process at all transition points, standardized electronic transfer of all medication-related information and interdisciplinary collaboration are crucial.

Polyactive as a bone-filler in a beagle dog model.

Calcification is a crucial step in the bone-bonding mechanism of PEO/PBT hydrogel copolymers (Polyactive, a new generation of bone-fillers. A beagle dog study was conducted to determine whether the preoperative presence of a calcium phosphate layer (precalcification) on a PEO/PBT 80/20 copolymer would further increase the bone-bonding rate. Standard bone cavities were filled with either precalcified or nonprecalcified porous cylindric PEO/PBT 80/20 implants, or hydroxyapatite granules held together with PEO/PBT 70/30, or were left unfilled. A significantly higher percentage of mineralized component was present in the cavities filled with the precalcified PEO/PBT 80/20 copolymer than in the control defects. As a result of swelling by fluid-uptake, the press-fit inserted copolymer implants showed a significant reduction in pore size, thus preventing optimal bone ingrowth. Both precalcification of the copolymer and underfilling of the defect, to create space for the copolymer to increase in diameter, stimulate postoperative calcification and bone ingrowth in PEO/PBT 80/20 copolymers.

PVC as pharmaceutical packaging material. A literature survey with special emphasis on plasticized PVC bags.

In this report the state of the art with respect to PVC as pharmaceutical packaging material is described. A general introduction into the applications of PVC is followed by a description of its production process. The metabolic effects of the monomer of PVC, vinyl chloride and of the most commonly used plasticizer diethylhexylphthalate are mentioned. Special attention is given to the pharmaceutical properties of plasticized PVC bags in comparison to other plastics and the environmental aspects of waste PVC disposal. Although there are emotional and political queries regarding the future use of PVC as a (pharmaceutical) packaging material, we conclude that there is no scientific justification for a total or partial ban of PVC. PVC will remain a fact of life as a cheap, versatile, high-performance and well-investigated plastic material for medical and pharmaceutical applications, to be replaced by newer plastics only for certain well-defined indications where the requirements of the plastic to be used are so specific that it will economically and technically be justified to use another polymer. Community and hospital pharmacists have to be prepared for a role in intake of waste plastic disposables, probably against deposit money, in order to fulfil the logistics needed for recycling.