Construction and feasibility study of the SOFMER Activity Score (SAS), a new assessment of physical and cognitive activity.

OBJECTIVES: For hospitalizations in rehabilitation centers (RCs) in France, the quantification of healthcare givers' activity is based on the dependency of the patients, defined as a total or partial inability to perform activities required for daily living without help. The tools currently used to quantify dependency are not sufficiently precise. Here we describe the construction of a new tool, the SOFMER Activity Score (SAS scoring), which allows for a good description of the level of activity of patients hospitalized in RCs, and a feasibility study of the tool. METHODS: After a study group proposed the first version of the SAS, the validity of its content was studied by the Delphi consensus method: 26 physicians or healthcare professionals known for their expertise in PMR responded to the first round. The feasibility study was prospective and involved multi-site professionals. Data related to the SAS determined by a multidisciplinary team were collected and compared to the Activité de la Vie Quotidienne (AVQ) scale, which is administered to all patients and included in medical and administrative data. RESULTS: We included 81 patients in the feasibility study. The mean (SD) time to obtain the SAS was 4.5 (3.3) min. For 97.5% of scorings, the participating professionals judged that the SAS was compatible or fairly compatible with clinical practice. The internal structure of the SAS scale seemed better than that of the AVQ scale, for which the present study confirmed a floor effect for all items. CONCLUSIONS: The SAS allows for measuring the level of physical and cognitive activity of a patient hospitalized in an RC. If validation studies for the SAS, exploring its reliability, construct validity or criterion validity, confirm the tool's good metrological qualities, the SAS will allow for a good quantification of the burden of care.

Efficiency of physical therapy on postural imbalance after stroke: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke frequently results in balance disorders, leading to lower levels of activity and a diminution in autonomy. Current physical therapies (PT) aiming to reduce postural imbalance have shown a large variety of effects with low levels of evidence. The objectives are to determine the efficiency of PT in recovering from postural imbalance in patients after a stroke and to assess which PT is more effective. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search several databases from inception to October 2015. Only randomised controlled trials assessing PT to recover from poststroke postural imbalance in adults will be considered.Outcome measures will be the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), the 'weight-bearing asymmetry' (WBA), the 'centre of pressure' (COP) and the 'limit of stability' (LOS). WBA, COP and LOS are measured by a (sitting or standing) static evaluation on force plate or another device.Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full-text articles, evaluate the risk of bias and will perform data extraction. In addition to the outcomes, measures of independence will be analysed. This study will aim at determining the effects of PT on the function (WBA, COP, LOS), the activity (BBS, PASS) and the independence of patients. Subgroup analyses will be planned according to the location of brain lesion (hemispheric, brainstem or cerebellum), the time since stroke (early, late, chronic), the PT (type, main aim (direct effect or generalisation), overall duration), the type of approaches (top-down or bottom-up) and the methodological quality of studies. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical statement will be required. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. This meta-analysis aims at managing the rehabilitation after postural imbalance by PT after a stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Prospero CRD42016037966;Pre-results.

[Anticholinergics do not affect the sexual function in women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis]. / Les anticholinergiques ne modifient pas la fonction sexuelle chez les patientes atteintes de sclérose en plaques.

AIM: Determine if the initiation of an anticholinergic treatment affects the sexual function in women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: It was a single-centre prospective open label study on 18 women affected by MS, with a clinical overactive bladder syndrome, and examined before and after anticholinergic treatment. Several variables were studied before and after treatment: the total anticholinergic load (Anticholinergic Drug Scale [ADS]), the Female Sexual Function Index, the Urinary Symptom Profile (USP) and functional status (EDSS, MIF). Quantitative variables were analyzed using Student's test. RESULTS: Eighteen women with an average age of 48.3 years old (±10.7 years), average EDSS of 4.6 (±1.5) were examined before and after anticholinergic treatment (solifenacin and trospium). Anticholinergic load at baseline was 0.33 (±0.5) and 3.44 (±0.70) after treatment (P<0.0001). The initiation of an anticholinergic treatment allowed a significant improvement on the subscore OAB USP (10.25±4.3 to 6.22±3 P=0.01). No significant impacts of the anticholinergic load on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score (18.9±10.8 to 21.2±10.8 P=0.06) and sub-items lubrification (3.6±2.2 to 3.7±2.2 P=0.6), pain (3.6±2.5 to 4.2±2.3 P=0.4), desire (3±1.2 to 3±1.5 P=0.7), orgasm (2.7±2.1 to 3±2.4 P=0.4), satisfaction (3.9± to 4±2 p=0.9), arousal (2.9±2 to 3.3±1.8 P=0.8) was evidenced. CONCLUSION: In this limited series of "naive" patients with MS, no impact of anticholinergic therapy on vaginal lubrication or sexual quality was observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Radiation-induced undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma after radiation therapy for a desmoid tumour.

Radiation-induced sarcoma is a long-term complication of radiation therapy. The most common secondary neoplasia is the undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, which is usually described in the deep soft tissue of the trunk or extremities. Radiation-induced sarcomas have a poor prognosis. An early diagnosis and management are needed to improve the survival rate of such patients. We presently report a case of a radiation-induced undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the left gluteus maximus muscle, which developed 25 years after an initial diagnosis of aggressive fibromatosis and 21 years after a tumour recurrence. This case study illustrates the risk of developing a sarcoma in a radiation field and the need for long-term follow-up after radiation therapy. Unnecessary radiation therapy, in particular in the case of benign conditions in young patients, should be avoided.

[Underestimated impact of antibiotic misuse in outpatient children]. / Prescriptions inappropriées d'antibiotiques chez l'enfant en médecine de ville : raisons et conséquences.

CONTEXT: The judicious prescription of antibiotics has become a central focus of professional and public-health measures to combat the spread of resistant organisms. It also seems important to consider the other impacts and determinants of antibiotic misuse. OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the ambulatory antibiotic prescription for common infections in patients secondarily hospitalized as well as the consequences and determinants of this prescription. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study conducted over a period of 6 months between May and November 2008, during which 52 children aged between 3 months and 15 years, hospitalized in the pediatric hospital of Aix-en-Provence, were recruited. The reason for the pediatric emergency department visit was persistent symptoms or new symptoms over 48 h of ambulatory antibiotic prescription. The ambulatory antibiotic prescription was compared with current practice guidelines, and clinical progression after hospitalization was also analyzed. Afterwards, the determinants of this overprescription in ambulatory practice were investigated through a telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the antibiotic prescriptions were inappropriate, 60 % of which could potentially have been avoided with had an adequate and recommended practices been followed. Only 25 % of the children were prescribed ambulatory diagnostic exams, whereas these exams confirmed the diagnosis at the hospital for 71 % of them. In addition, 15 % of the children presented secondary effects of the antibiotics at their admission. Among practitioners, 84 % recognized having difficulties on reevaluation of the antibiotic prescription at 48 h. A high proportion of them (71 %) believe that antibiotics should be initiated precociously in patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes. Furthermore, 33 % recognized that the perceived parents' expectation could be a determinant of prescription. Otherwise, 22 % of them had attended an antibiotic prescription educational program during the past year. DISCUSSION: Antibiotic prescription for children's common infections remains a difficult decision for practitioners. This could partly be explained by atypical clinical symptoms and the risk of rapid progression in pediatric medicine. However, the rate of inappropriate prescription of antibiotics is high in this population. Among the main consequences of this practice, one may note the appearance of antibiotic resistance, the occurrence of side effects, and delayed diagnoses as well as preventable hospitalizations. Although certain considerations, such as the problems re-evaluating the patient after 48 h, must be taken into account, better use of paraclinical examinations in general practice could help to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions. Further large-scale, prospective studies should be conducted on the existing practices and beliefs concerning ambulatory antibiotic prescription in order to adjust prevention strategies.

[Management of newborns with meconium-stained amniotic fluid: prospective evaluation of practice]. / Prise en charge des nouveau-nés naissant dans un liquide méconial: évaluation prospective des pratiques.

OBJECTIVE: Regional guideline for immediate tracheal suctioning (ITS) in vigorous and non-vigorous infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) has been established in 2003. The objective of this study was to evaluate guideline application. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The first part of the study was a short survey about ITS practices in maternity hospitals then, management and early evolution of babies born through particulate MSAF was evaluated by questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 6761 neonates, 199 (3%) were born with MSAF. Early clinical evaluation showed 52 (26%) non-vigorous neonates; 22 of them (42%) have had an ITS. One hundred and forty-seven neonates were vigorous (74%); 27 of them (18%) have had an ITS. Implementation of recommendations in non-vigorous babies was better in maternities of level III, while they were lower in maternities of level IIA for vigorous babies. Among 52 non-vigorous children, eight had a meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), including five who had an ITS. One MAS occurred in vigorous babies but infection could not be excluded. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for ITS were implemented in 70% of cases but only in 42% of cases in non-vigorous babies. We have to improve formation and circulation of new recommendations.

Bacillus licheniformis septicemia in a very-low-birth-weight neonate: a case report.

Nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units are a preoccupying issue. Bacillus sp. can be pathogenic in immuno-compromised hosts, including premature infants. Central catheters and mechanical ventilation are potential sources of infection. We report for the first time a case of Bacillus licheniformis bacteremia in a premature infant. Recovery necessitated treatment with vancomycin and cefotaxime in combination with removal of the central catheter.

[Failure to thrive and psychomotor regression revealing vitamin B12 deficiency in 3 infants]. / Stagnation pondérale et régression psychomotrice révélant une carence en vitamine B12 chez 3 nourrissons.

The newborn's vitamin B12 storage exclusively comes from placenta transfer, later from animal food. We relate 3 observations of infants (3-11-13 months) with failure to thrive, anorexia, vomiting and for the two olders refusal of weaning, associated with psychomotricity regression and hypotony. Blood cell count showed a macrocytosis without anemia (case 2-3) and a severe microcytic anemia for the first case caused by a mild alpha-thalassemia, with megaloblastic bone marrow. Vitamin B12 levels were very low associated with increased methylmalonic acid and homocysteine serum levels which confirm the diagnostic . Cerebral imaging showed diffuse cortical atrophy. Cobalamin deficiency was caused by strict vegetarian diets mothers of breastfed infants (cases 2-3) and for younger by mother's unrecognized pernicious anemia. 3 mothers had no anemia and normal B12 's levels at diagnosis. Vitamin B12 supply lead to a rapid clinical and hematologic improvement. In two cases, neurologic recovery was incomplete. About one hundred case of B12 deficiency 's infant are reported, 2/3 are breast-fed by vegetarian mothers, and 1/4 have mothers with pernicious anemia. The failure to thrive is due to anorexia, refusal of weaning and partial villous atrophy. Neurologic manifestations are secondary to cerebral disorders, sometimes revealed by an exposure to anesthetic nitrous oxyd. The macrocytic anemia is inconstant. The etiologic research of developmental delay in an infant may include vitamin B12's deficiency, even if there is no haematologic signs, especially if breast-fedding 's mothers is vegetarian.

[Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in preterm infants]. / Estimation de la bilirubinémie par méthode transcutanée chez le nouveau-né prématuré.

UNLABELLED: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is an effective screening tool for neonatal jaundice in full-term babies. But its accuracy is not shown yet in preterm infants. METHODOLOGY: We carried out a prospective study in a neonatal intensive care unit. The study included 47 preterm infants. From birth, a transcutaneous bilirubin measurement (BTc) using the BiliCheck was made on the forehead of each newborn every 8 h. Blood sampling for determination of total serum bilirubin (BS) was combined with BTc: 1) if value of BTc was higher than limits values for phototherapy; 2) on the second day of life and 3) 4 hours after cessation of phototherapy. RESULTS: Mean gestational age was 30 week and mean birth weight was 1419 g. We studied 151 pairs of BTc and BS. Mean values obtained by BTc and BS were respectively 160.6+/-50 mumol/L and 190.6+/-61.4 mumol/L. A significant correlation between BTc and BS was found. But the limits of agreement were very wide. The negative predictive value (NPV) of BTc was above 90% in each group of gestational age. DISCUSSION: The need for phototherapy cannot be determined by BTc in preterm infants. But the BTc is reliable when its value is under the limits for phototherapy. CONCLUSION: With a very high incidence of neonatal jaundice (87%) in our cohort, a value of BTc under the limits for phototherapy has a good NPV in preterm infants.

Technetium(V) oxo complexes of substituted propylene diamine dioxime (PnAO) ligands: water-dependent interconversion between syn and anti isomers.

99mTc and (99)Tc complexes of PnAO (propylene diamine dioxime) ligands monosubstituted in the 6-position [PnAO-6-R] were prepared and studied. Ligands substituted with an alkyl group or with no substituent (R = H, CH(3), or CH(2)CH(CH(3))(2)), gave only one Tc complex. However, for several other nonalkyl substituents (R = COOCH(3), OH, OCH(3), OCH(2)CH(3), F, CN, NHCOCH(3), and NHCOCH(2)CH(3)), two Tc complexes A and B were formed. Products A and B were assigned to the anti and syn TcO(PnAO-6-R) species, respectively, based on (1)H NMR results. X-ray structure analyses supported these assignments. The A (anti) isomer of TcO(PnAO-6-OH) had the chemical formula TcC(13)H(25)N(4)O(4) and crystallized in an orthorhombic system with space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and Z = 4; a = 12.744(2) A, b = 13.591(2) A, c = 9.976(2) A. The B (syn) isomer of TcO(PnAO-6-CN) had the chemical formula TcC(14)H(24)N(5)O(3) and was a 1:4 mixture of two monoclinic polymorphs: individual rectangular prisms (space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4) and clusters of intergrown twinned rectangular rods (space group Cc, Z = 8). For the prisms, a = 12.457(1) A, b = 13.932(1) A, c = 10.336(1) A, and for the rods, a = 31.344(5) A, b = 6.993(1) A, c = 21.657(2) A. The syn and anti isomers interconverted in the presence of water; nonequilibrium mixtures of epimers remained unchanged under dry conditions. The HPLC behavior under reversed phase conditions was consistent with on-column interconversion (poor resolution), whereas the two isomers were cleanly resolved under drier normal phase conditions. An oxo inversion mechanism involving trans water attack is proposed for the interconversion process. Water also influenced the position of equilibrium of the two isomers. The syn isomer was stabilized in water relative to the anti isomer.

[Pediatric medical emergencies: clinical classification on basis of severity of illness, distribution between work days and non-working days]. / Urgences médicales pédiatriques: classification clinique en stades de gravité, répartition entre jours fériés et ouvrables.

OBJECTIVES: Assess one year of activity in a pediatric medical emergency unit of a non-university hospital to detail the degree of gravity of patients admitted to pediatric wards and the distribution of non-programmed activity between and work days and non-work days. METHODS: Prospective classification into 5 degrees of emergency of all admitted children and count of non-programmed medical and surgical activity. RESULTS: A significantly growing number of consultations for minor problems was observed during non-work days. Most hospitalizations were for problems of a rather relative emergency nature. CONCLUSION: The creation of a "day-hospital" would allow evaluation and/or treatment of a large number of pediatric patients without requiring hospitalization. The problem of controlling the flow of consultations to the hospital remains a difficult problem. The many reasons leading to hospital consultation are poorly assessed. It appears indispensable to promote population "education" and development of closer physician's office-hospital collaboration.

[Subphrenic abscess due to ectopic appendicitis]. / Abcès sous-phrénique révélateur d'une appendicite ectopique.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic subphrenic abscesses are uncommon in children. Standard chest X-rays may provide the suspicion of this diagnosis. Initial percutaneous drainage of the collection is usually performed. Surgery is required when the underlying cause remains unknown. CASE REPORT: A 12-year-old boy presented signs of pulmonary abscess. Chest X-rays, ultrasonography and computed tomography established the diagnosis of a right subphrenic abscess, which was percutaneously drained. Surgery disclosed an ectopic appendiceal perforation. CONCLUSION: In children, appendicitis is the main etiology of primary or postoperative subphrenic suppurations. Ectopic appendicitis is an important predisposing factor to this complication.

[Recurrent osteitis and Coxiella burnetii: the relation to chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis]. / Ostéites récidivantes et Coxiella burnetti: relation avec l'ostéomyélite chronique récurrente multifocale.

UNLABELLED: Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a disorder of suspected--but unproved-infectious etiology. OBSERVATION: A girl presented with a typical CRMO involving successively the left fibula, radius, humerus and the right carpus. A Coxiella burnetii infection was indicated during the first attack. Two recurrences occurred in spite of suitable antibiotic treatment and with negative infectious investigation. Two months after stopping antibiotic treatment, a new recurrence associated with antibodies increase and positive bone culture occurred. CONCLUSION: Coxiella burnetii can initiate a CRMO. The mechanism involved is probably a delayed hypersensitivity. CRMO would therefore be the first type of reactive osteitis.

[Prenatal diagnosis of fetal goiter revealing iodine utilization defect]. / Goitre néonatal découvert in utero, révélateur d'un trouble de l'organification de l'iode.

We report on a case of fetal goitrous diagnosed on ultrasonogram done at 31 weeks of gestation. Thyroid maternal function was normal and no therapeutic was responsible. Hormonal test done on cord blood supported diagnosis of prenatal hypothyroidism. The infant was born prematurely at gestation age of 34 without antenatal treatment. He was eutrophic with clinical and biological signs of hypothyroidism and a large goiter. Therapy with thyroxine was instituted on the third day of life. At 9 months, growth and development are normal. Congenital hypothyroidism has an incidence of approximately 1 in every 4000-5000 live births. Rarely fetal goitrous hypothyroidism have been attributed to thyroid hormone dyshormonogenesis. When fetal goiter is diagnosed on ultrasonography, without maternal hypothyroidism or therapeutic and when hypothyroidism is confirmed on fetal blood, this diagnosis must be suspected.