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Introduction: There is an urgent medical need to differentiate active tuberculosis (ATB) from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and prevent undertreatment and overtreatment. The aim of this study was to identify biomarker profiles that may support the differentiation between ATB and LTBI and to validate these signatures. Materials and Methods: The discovery cohort included adult individuals classified in four groups: ATB (n = 20), LTBI without prophylaxis (untreated LTBI; n = 20), LTBI after completion of prophylaxis (treated LTBI; n = 20), and healthy controls (HC; n = 20). Their sera were analyzed for 40 cytokines/chemokines and activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) isozymes. A prediction model was designed to differentiate ATB from untreated LTBI using sparse partial least squares (sPLS) and logistic regression analyses. Serum samples of two independent cohorts (national and international) were used for validation. Results: sPLS regression analyses identified C-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CCL1), C-reactive protein (CRP), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the most discriminating biomarkers. These markers and ADA(2) activity were significantly increased in ATB compared to untreated LTBI (p ≤ 0.007). Combining CCL1, CXCL10, VEGF, and ADA2 activity yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 90%, respectively, in differentiating ATB from untreated LTBI. These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort including remotely acquired untreated LTBI participants. Conclusion: The biomarker signature of CCL1, CXCL10, VEGF, and ADA2 activity provides a promising tool for differentiating patients with ATB from non-treated LTBI individuals.
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Adenosina Desaminasa/sangre , Quimiocina CCL1/sangre , Quimiocina CXCL10/sangre , Tuberculosis Latente/sangre , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/sangre , Adulto , Biomarcadores/sangre , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Pruebas Inmunológicas , Tuberculosis Latente/diagnóstico , Tuberculosis Latente/inmunología , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Sobretratamiento/prevención & control , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
This intervention study examined the effects of a career crafting training on physicians' perceptions of their job crafting behaviors, career self-management, and employability. A total of 154 physicians working in two hospitals in a large Dutch city were randomly assigned to a waitlist control group or an intervention group. Physicians in the intervention group received an accredited training on career crafting, including a mix of theory, self-reflection, and exercises. Participants developed four career crafting goals during the training, to work on in the subsequent weeks, after which a coaching conversation took place over the phone. Physicians in the control group received no intervention. A pre- and post-test 8 weeks later measured changes in job crafting and career self-management (primary outcomes) and employability (secondary outcome) of 103 physicians that completed the pre- and post-test. RM ANOVAs showed that the intervention enhanced perceptions of career self-management and job crafting behavior to decrease hindering job demands. No support was found for the effect of the intervention on other types of job crafting and employability. This study offers novel insights into how career crafting can be enhanced through training, as this is the first empirical study to examine a career crafting intervention. HR managers can use the outcomes to develop tailored career policies and career development practices.
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BACKGROUND: Little is known about factors associated with emphysema progression in cigarette smokers. We evaluated factors associated with change in emphysema and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in participants with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: This retrospective study included individuals participating in the COPD Genetic Epidemiology study who completed the 5-year follow-up, including inspiratory and expiratory computed tomography (CT) and spirometry. All paired CT scans were analyzed using micro-mapping, which classifies individual voxels as emphysema or functional small airway disease (fSAD). Presence and progression of emphysema and FEV1 were determined based on comparison to nonsmoker values. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify clinical parameters associated with disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 3088 participants were included with a mean ± SD age of 60.7±8.9 years, including 72 nonsmokers. In all Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages, the presence of emphysema at baseline was associated with emphysema progression (odds ratio [OR]: GOLD 0: 4.32; preserved ratio-impaired spirometry [PRISm]; 5.73; GOLD 1: 5.16; GOLD 2: 5.69; GOLD 3/4: 5.55; all p ≤0.01). If there was no emphysema at baseline, the amount of fSAD at baseline was associated with emphysema progression (OR for 1% increase: GOLD 0: 1.06; PRISm: 1.20; GOLD 1: 1.7; GOLD 3/4: 1.08; all p ≤ 0.03).In 1735 participants without spirometric COPD, progression in emphysema occurred in 105 (6.1%) participants and only 21 (1.2%) had progression in both emphysema and FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of emphysema is an important predictor of emphysema progression. In patients without emphysema, fSAD is associated with the development of emphysema. In participants without spirometric COPD, emphysema progression occurred independently of FEV1 decline.
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BACKGROUND: There are limited data from randomized trials regarding whether volume-based, low-dose computed tomographic (CT) screening can reduce lung-cancer mortality among male former and current smokers. METHODS: A total of 13,195 men (primary analysis) and 2594 women (subgroup analyses) between the ages of 50 and 74 were randomly assigned to undergo CT screening at T0 (baseline), year 1, year 3, and year 5.5 or no screening. We obtained data on cancer diagnosis and the date and cause of death through linkages with national registries in the Netherlands and Belgium, and a review committee confirmed lung cancer as the cause of death when possible. A minimum follow-up of 10 years until December 31, 2015, was completed for all participants. RESULTS: Among men, the average adherence to CT screening was 90.0%. On average, 9.2% of the screened participants underwent at least one additional CT scan (initially indeterminate). The overall referral rate for suspicious nodules was 2.1%. At 10 years of follow-up, the incidence of lung cancer was 5.58 cases per 1000 person-years in the screening group and 4.91 cases per 1000 person-years in the control group; lung-cancer mortality was 2.50 deaths per 1000 person-years and 3.30 deaths per 1000 person-years, respectively. The cumulative rate ratio for death from lung cancer at 10 years was 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 0.94; P = 0.01) in the screening group as compared with the control group, similar to the values at years 8 and 9. Among women, the rate ratio was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.38 to 1.14) at 10 years of follow-up, with values of 0.41 to 0.52 in years 7 through 9. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial involving high-risk persons, lung-cancer mortality was significantly lower among those who underwent volume CT screening than among those who underwent no screening. There were low rates of follow-up procedures for results suggestive of lung cancer. (Funded by the Netherlands Organization of Health Research and Development and others; NELSON Netherlands Trial Register number, NL580.).
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Tomografía Computarizada de Haz Cónico , Detección Precoz del Cáncer/métodos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Pulmonares/mortalidad , Anciano , Bélgica/epidemiología , Reacciones Falso Positivas , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/epidemiología , Masculino , Uso Excesivo de los Servicios de Salud , Persona de Mediana Edad , Países Bajos/epidemiología , Sistema de Registros , Factores Sexuales , Fumar/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often remain undiagnosed in older individuals, although both disorders inhibit functionality and impair health. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a case-finding strategy of these disorders. METHODS: This is a clustered randomized trial; 18 general practices from the vicinity of Utrecht, the Netherlands, were randomly allocated to a case-finding strategy or usual care. Multimorbid community subjects (≥65â¯years) with dyspnea or reduced exercise tolerance were eligible for inclusion. The case-finding strategy consisted of history taking, physical examination, blood tests, electrocardiography, spirometry, and echocardiography. Subsequent treatment decisions were at the discretion of the general practitioner. Questionnaires regarding health status and functionality were filled out at baseline and after 6 months of follow-up. Information regarding changes in medication and health care use during the 6 months follow-up was extracted. RESULTS: A total of 829 participants were randomized: 389 in the case-finding strategy group and 440 in the usual care group. More patients in the case-finding group received a new diagnosis of HF or COPD than the usual care group (cumulative incidence 34% vs 2% and 17% vs. 2%, respectively). Scores for health status, functionality, and health care use were similar between the 2 strategies after 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A case-finding strategy applied in primary care to multimorbid older people with dyspnea or reduced exercise tolerance resulted in a number of new diagnoses of HF and COPD but did not result in short-term improvement of health status compared to usual care.
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Disnea , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/diagnóstico , Anciano , Disnea/epidemiología , Ecocardiografía , Electrocardiografía , Tolerancia al Ejercicio , Femenino , Medicina General , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Estado de Salud , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/epidemiología , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Anamnesis , Multimorbilidad , Países Bajos/epidemiología , Examen Físico , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/epidemiología , Calidad de Vida , EspirometríaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The nurse-led chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-Guidance Research on Illness Perception (COPD-GRIP) intervention was developed to incorporate illness perceptions into COPD care with the intention to improve the health-related quality of life of COPD patients. This individualized intervention focuses on identifying, discussing and evaluating illness perceptions and consists of three consultations with a practice nurse. The aim of this study is to explore patients' experiences regarding the COPD-GRIP intervention. METHODS: A qualitative interview study nested in a cluster randomized trial in primary care. One-time semi-structured individual interviews with COPD patients who were guided with the COPD-GRIP intervention were conducted. During data collection, the constant comparative approach was used. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, anonymized and uploaded to MAXQDA. To identify themes, the transcripts were independently coded by two researchers. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were interviewed. All patients were positive and experienced an additional value of the COPD-GRIP intervention in different areas. Three main themes were identified and show that taking part in this intervention made the patients feel 'listened to and acknowledged', improved their awareness of the disease and its management and helped them to make lifestyle changes. Some patients suggested that the individualized care plan could be improved and to start the intervention immediately after being informed of the COPD diagnosis. All patients recommended this intervention. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that patients acknowledge that the COPD-GRIP intervention is a useful and promising tool for providing individualized COPD care.
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Actitud Frente a la Salud , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/enfermería , Calidad de Vida , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pautas de la Práctica en Enfermería , Investigación Cualitativa , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como AsuntoRESUMEN
The new COPD-GRIP (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Guidance, Research on Illness Perception) intervention translates evidence regarding illness perceptions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) into a nurse intervention to guide COPD patients and to improve health outcomes. It describes how to assess and discuss illness perceptions in a structured way. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in primary care. A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted within 30 general practices and five home-care centres, including 204 COPD patients. 103 patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group and 101 patients to the usual-care group. To assess differences, repeated multilevel linear mixed modelling analyses were used. Primary outcome was change in health status on the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) at 9â months. Secondary outcomes were HRQoL, daily activities, health education impact and changes in illness perceptions. There was no significant difference between the groups in the CCQ at 9â months. We found a significant increase in health-directed behaviour at 6â weeks (p=0.024) and in personal control (p=0.005) at 9â months in favour of the intervention group. The COPD-GRIP intervention, practised by nurses, did not improve health status in COPD patients in primary care. However, the intervention has benefits in improving the ability to control the disease and health-related behaviours in the short term. Therefore, taking illness perceptions into account when stimulating healthy behaviours in COPD patients should be considered. Further study on influencing the health status and HRQoL is needed.
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Biomass and functional small airway disease http://ow.ly/gXu730abpKu.
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INTRODUCTION: An important step in improving research and care for the oldest patients with lung cancer is analyzing current data regarding diagnostic work-up, treatment choices, and survival. METHODS: We analyzed data on lung cancer from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR-IKNL) regarding diagnostic work-up, treatment, and survival in different age categories; the oldest old (≥85 years of age) versus those aged 71-84 (elderly) and those aged ≤70 years (younger patients). RESULTS: 47,951 patients were included in the 2010-2014 NCR database. 2196 (5%) patients were aged ≥85 years. Histological diagnosis was obtained significantly less often in the oldest old (38%, p < 0.001), and less standard treatment regimen was given (8%, p < 0.001) compared to elderly and younger patients. 67% of the oldest old received best supportive care only versus 38% of the elderly and 20% of the younger patients (p < 0.001). For the oldest old receiving standard treatment, survival rates were similar in comparison with the elderly patients. In the oldest old, no survival differences were found when comparing standard or adjusted regimens for stage I and IV NSCLC; for stage III, oldest old receiving standard treatment had longer survival. No oldest old patients with stage II received standard treatment. CONCLUSION: Clinicians make limited use of diagnostics and invasive treatment in the oldest old; however, selected oldest old patients experienced similar survival rates as the elderly when receiving some form of anticancer therapy (standard or adjusted). More research is needed to further develop individualized treatment algorithms.
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Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/terapia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/terapia , Cuidados Paliativos/estadística & datos numéricos , Radioterapia/estadística & datos numéricos , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/terapia , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Operativos/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/diagnóstico , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/mortalidad , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Pulmón/cirugía , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/mortalidad , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Masculino , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Países Bajos , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/diagnóstico , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/mortalidad , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/patologíaRESUMEN
Parametric response mapping (PRM) of paired CT lung images has been shown to improve the phenotyping of COPD by allowing for the visualization and quantification of non-emphysematous air trapping component, referred to as functional small airways disease (fSAD). Although promising, large variability in the standard method for analyzing PRMfSAD has been observed. We postulate that representing the 3D PRMfSAD data as a single scalar quantity (relative volume of PRMfSAD) oversimplifies the original 3D data, limiting its potential to detect the subtle progression of COPD as well as varying subtypes. In this study, we propose a new approach to analyze PRM. Based on topological techniques, we generate 3D maps of local topological features from 3D PRMfSAD classification maps. We found that the surface area of fSAD (SfSAD) was the most robust and significant independent indicator of clinically meaningful measures of COPD. We also confirmed by micro-CT of human lung specimens that structural differences are associated with unique SfSAD patterns, and demonstrated longitudinal feature alterations occurred with worsening pulmonary function independent of an increase in disease extent. These findings suggest that our technique captures additional COPD characteristics, which may provide important opportunities for improved diagnosis of COPD patients.
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Biometría/métodos , Imagenología Tridimensional/métodos , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/patología , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , MasculinoRESUMEN
We evaluated the prevalence of significant lung abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) in patients who died from a respiratory illness other than lung cancer in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST).In this retrospective case-control study, NLST participants in the CT arm who died of respiratory illness other than lung cancer were matched for age, sex, pack-years and smoking status to a surviving control. A chest radiologist and a radiology resident blinded to the outcome independently scored baseline CT scans visually and qualitatively for the presence of emphysema, airway wall thickening and fibrotic lung disease. The prevalence of CT abnormalities was compared between cases and controls by using chi-squared tests.In total, 167 participants died from a respiratory cause other than lung cancer. The prevalence of severe emphysema, airway wall thickening and fibrotic lung disease were 28.7% versus 4.8%, 26.9% versus 13.2% and 18.6% versus 0.5% in cases and controls, respectively. Radiological findings were significantly more prevalent in deaths compared with controls (all p<0.001).CT-diagnosed severe emphysema, airway wall thickening and fibrosis were much more common in NLST participants who died from respiratory disease, and CT may provide an additional means of identifying these diseases.
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Causas de Muerte , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades Respiratorias/clasificación , Enfermedades Respiratorias/diagnóstico por imagen , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Certificado de Defunción , Femenino , Humanos , Pulmón/patología , Masculino , Tamizaje Masivo/métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Países Bajos , Prevalencia , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Decision-making for older patients with lung cancer can be complex and challenging. A geriatric assessment (GA) may be helpful and is increasingly being used since 2005 when SIOG advised to incorporate this in standard work-up for the elderly with cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the value of a geriatric assessment in decision-making for patients with lung cancer. METHODS: Between January 2014 and April 2016, data on patients with lung cancer from two teaching hospitals in the Netherlands were entered in a prospective database. Outcome of geriatric assessment, non-oncologic interventions, and suggested adaptations of oncologic treatment proposals were evaluated. RESULTS: 83 patients (median age 79 years) were analyzed with a geriatric assessment, of which 59% were treated with a curative intent. Half of the patients were classified as ECOG PS 0 or 1. The majority of the patients (78%) suffered from geriatric impairments and 43% (n = 35) of the patients suffered from three or more geriatric impairments (out of eight analyzed domains). Nutritional status was most frequently impaired (52%). Previously undiagnosed impairments were identified in 58% of the patients, and non-oncologic interventions were advised for 43%. For 33% of patients, adaptations of the oncologic treatment were proposed. Patients with higher number of geriatric impairments more often were advised a reduced or less intensive treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A geriatric assessment uncovers previously unknown health impairments and provides important guidance for tailored treatment decisions in patients with lung cancer. More research on GA-stratified treatment decisions is needed.
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Toma de Decisiones Clínicas , Evaluación Geriátrica , Neoplasias Pulmonares/terapia , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Disfunción Cognitiva/complicaciones , Comorbilidad , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/complicaciones , Masculino , Limitación de la Movilidad , Estado NutricionalRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Because of the time-consuming aspect of geriatric assessments, cancer specialists are seeking shorter screening tools to distinguish fit and frail patients. We analyzed the predictive value of the Geriatric 8 (G8) and Identification of Seniors at Risk for Hospitalized Patients (ISAR-HP) in elderly patients with lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2014 to April 2016, the data from patients with lung cancer aged > 70 years at 2 teaching hospitals in the Netherlands were included in a database. The patients were classified as potentially frail if they had a G8 of ≤ 14 or ISAR-HP of ≥ 2. RESULTS: Of the 142 included patients (median age, 77 years; interquartile range, 73-82 years), 108 (76%) were potentially frail. After correction for possible confounders, the potentially frail patients had a significantly greater risk of 1-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 4.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67-9.99; P = .02). Higher disease stage (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.40-2.12; P < .001) was also a significant predictor of mortality; however, initial treatment (standard or otherwise) and age were not. When using both screening instruments separately, an impaired score on the G8 and higher disease stage were the variables remaining in the regression analyses (HR for impaired G8, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.35-6.72; P < .001). Patients with impaired scores on the ISAR-HP and G8 had more geriatric impairments than did patients with only an impaired G8 score. CONCLUSION: G8 screening is useful for the prognostication of elderly patients with lung cancer and could be used in combination with ISAR-HP to increase specificity at the cost of sensitivity. Using the ISAR-HP as the only screening tool would be insufficient.
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Evaluación Geriátrica/métodos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Tamizaje Masivo/métodos , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Detección Precoz del Cáncer , Femenino , Hospitalización , Hospitales de Enseñanza , Humanos , Masculino , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Países Bajos , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Pronóstico , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Análisis de Regresión , Riesgo , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In the search for specific phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) computed tomography (CT) derived Parametric Response Mapping (PRM) has been introduced. This study evaluates the association between PRM and currently available biomarkers of disease severity in COPD. METHODS: Smokers with and without COPD were characterized based on questionnaires, pulmonary function tests, body plethysmography, and low-dose chest CT scanning. PRM was used to calculate the amount of emphysema (PRMEmph) and non-emphysematous air trapping (i.e. functional small airway disease, PRMfSAD). PRM was first compared with other biomarkers for emphysema (Perc15) and air trapping (E/I-ratioMLD). Consequently, linear regression models were utilized to study associations of PRM measurements with clinical parameters. RESULTS: 166 participants were included with a mean ± SD age of 50.5 ± 17.7 years. Both PRMEmph and PRMfSAD were more strongly correlated with lung function parameters as compared to Perc15 and E/I-ratioMLD. PRMEmph and PRMfSAD were higher in COPD participants than non-COPD participants (14.0% vs. 1.1%, and 31.6% vs. 8.2%, respectively, both p < 0.001) and increased with increasing GOLD stage (all p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that PRMfSAD was mainly associated with total lung capacity (TLC) (ß = -7.90, p < 0.001), alveolar volume (VA) (ß = 7.79, p < 0.001), and residual volume (ß = 6.78, p < 0.001), whilst PRMEmph was primarily associated with Kco (ß = 8.95, p < 0.001), VA (ß = -6.21, p < 0.001), and TLC (ß = 6.20, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PRM strongly associates with the presence and severity of COPD. PRM therefore appears to be a valuable tool in differentiating COPD phenotypes.
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Interpretación de Imagen Asistida por Computador/métodos , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/fisiopatología , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado/fisiología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fenotipo , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/etiología , Enfisema Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfisema Pulmonar/fisiopatología , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Estudios Retrospectivos , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Fumar/efectos adversos , Capacidad Vital/fisiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The major challenges in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) care are guiding a patient in daily living with the consequences of the disease, reducing the impact of symptoms and improving Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). The new nurse-led COPD-Guidance, Research on an Illness Perception (COPD-GRIP) intervention translates the evidence concerning illness perceptions and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) into a practice nurse intervention. The aim is to explore the nurses' experiences with applying the new COPD-GRIP intervention. METHOD: An explanatory mixed-method study nested in a cluster randomized trial in primary care was conducted. Pre-intervention questionnaires were sent to all participating nurses (N=24) to identify expectations. Post-intervention questionnaires identified experiences after applying the intervention followed by two focus groups to further extend exploration of findings. Questionnaires were analyzed by descriptive analyses. To identify themes the audio-taped and transcribed focus groups were independently coded by two researchers. RESULTS: The nurses described the intervention as a useful, structured and individualized tool to guide COPD patients in living with the consequences of COPD. Applying the intervention took less time than the nurses initially expected. The intervention enables to provide patient-centered care and to address patient needs. Barriers were encountered, especially in patients with a lower social economic status, in patients with a lower health literacy and in patients with other cultural backgrounds than the Dutch background. CONCLUSION: Nurses perceived the COPD-GRIP intervention as a feasible, individualized tool. According to the nurses, the intervention is a valuable improvement in the care for COPD patients.
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Actitud del Personal de Salud , Personal de Enfermería/psicología , Atención Primaria de Salud/organización & administración , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/enfermería , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the lowest radiation dose and iterative reconstruction level(s) at which computed tomography (CT)-based quantification of aortic valve calcification (AVC) and thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) is still feasible. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients underwent a cardiac CT and 20 patients a chest CT at 4 different dose levels (routine dose and approximately 40%, 60%, and 80% reduced dose). Data were reconstructed with filtered back projection, 3 iDose levels, and 3 iterative model-based reconstruction levels. Two observers scored subjective image quality. The AVC and TAC were quantified using mass and compared to the reference scan (routine dose reconstructed with filtered back projection). RESULTS: In cardiac CT at 0.35 mSv (60% reduced), all scans reconstructed with iDose (all levels) were diagnostic, calcification detection errors occurred in only 1 patient, and there were no significant differences in mass scores compared to the reference scan. Similar results were found for chest CT at 0.48 mSv (75% reduced) with iDose levels 4 and 6 and iterative model reconstruction levels 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Iterative reconstruction enables AVC and TAC quantification on CT at submillisievert dose.
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Aorta Torácica/diagnóstico por imagen , Válvula Aórtica/diagnóstico por imagen , Exposición a la Radiación/prevención & control , Protección Radiológica/métodos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Calcificación Vascular/diagnóstico por imagen , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dosis de Radiación , Exposición a la Radiación/análisis , Interpretación de Imagen Radiográfica Asistida por Computador/métodos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Information and communications technology (ICT) has the potential to contribute to the quality of life of older adults. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of a broad array of ICT devices and services among Dutch older adults and to determine whether demographics and health outcomes are associated with this use. A questionnaire was dispensed among a group of Dutch older adults (≥65 years). A univariate analysis of covariance was used to analyse results. Two hundred ninety-one subjects filled out the questionnaire. Reported use of newer technologies was lower compared with older technologies. Increased age (p = 0.048, Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.73: -0.004), lower degree of education (p = 0.008, CI: -59.64: -5.59), birthplace outside of Europe (p = 0.024, CI: -21.99: -0.73), lower income (p = 0.005, CI: -46.44:25.38), less arthrosis of the hands (p = 0.042, CI: -1.38:21.11), and a lower physical functioning (p = 0.008, CI: 1.43:9.41) resulted in a lower ICT use score with an adjusted R2 of 0.311. Older adults are slower to adapt to newer technologies. It appears it is not the degree of physical restrictions, but rather the degree of adaptability to these restrictions that influence the use of ICT.
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Demografía , Tecnología de la Información/estadística & datos numéricos , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Países Bajos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TelecomunicacionesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) of ELISpot in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and pleural fluid for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) in real-life clinical practice, together with the added value of a cut-off >1.0 for the ratio between the extra-sanguineous and systemic interferon-gamma responses in positive samples. METHODS: A retrospective, single-centre study was performed. Patients with positive ELISpot in BAL and pleural fluid were included. RESULTS: The PPV for TB in patients with positive ELISpot in BAL (n = 40) was 64.9%, which increased to 82.6% for the ESAT-6 panel and 71.4% for the CFP-10 panel after the introduction of a cut-off >1.0 for the ratio between the BAL and blood interferon-gamma responses. In patients with positive ELISpot in pleural fluid (n = 16), the PPV for TB was 85.7%, which increased to 91.7% for the ESAT-6 panel and 92.3% for the CFP-10 panel after the introduction of a cut-off >1.0 for the ratio between the pleural fluid and blood interferon-gamma responses. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the PPV of ELISpot in BAL and pleural fluid for the diagnosis of active TB in real-life clinical practice. The results indicate the possibility of an increase of the PPV using a cut-off >1.0 for the ratio between the extra-sanguineous and systemic interferon-gamma responses. Further studies are needed to underline this ratio-approach and to evaluate the full diagnostic accuracy of ELISpot in extra-sanguineous fluids like BAL and pleural fluid.