Novel wearable and contactless heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation monitoring devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify, classify and evaluate the body of evidence on novel wearable and contactless devices that measure heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturations in the clinical setting. We included any studies of hospital inpatients, including sleep study clinics. Eighty-four studies were included in the final review. There were 56 studies of wearable devices and 29 of contactless devices. One study assessed both types of device. A high risk of patient selection and rater bias was present in proportionally more studies assessing contactless devices compared with studies assessing wearable devices (p = 0.023 and p < 0.0001, respectively). There was high but equivalent likelihood of blinding bias between the two types of studies (p = 0.076). Wearable device studies were commercially available devices validated in acute clinical settings by clinical staff and had more real-time data analysis (p = 0.04). Contactless devices were more experimental, and data were analysed post-hoc. Pooled estimates of mean (95%CI) heart rate and respiratory rate bias in wearable devices were 1.25 (-0.31-2.82) beats.min-1 (pooled 95% limits of agreement -9.36-10.08) and 0.68 (0.05-1.32) breaths.min-1 (pooled 95% limits of agreement -5.65-6.85). The pooled estimate for mean (95%CI) heart rate and respiratory rate bias in contactless devices was 2.18 (3.31-7.66) beats.min-1 (pooled limits of agreement -6.71-10.88) and 0.30 (-0.26-0.87) breaths.min-1 (pooled 95% limits of agreement -3.94-4.29). Only two studies of wearable devices measured Sp O2 ; these reported mean measurement biases of 3.54% (limits of agreement -5.65-11.45%) and 2.9% (-7.4-1.7%). Heterogeneity was observed across studies, but absent when devices were grouped by measurement modality and reference standard. We conclude that, while studies of wearable devices were of slightly better quality than contactless devices, in general all studies of novel devices were of low quality, with small (< 100) patient datasets, typically not blinded and often using inappropriate statistical techniques. Both types of devices were statistically equivalent in accuracy and precision, but wearable devices demonstrated less measurement bias and more precision at extreme vital signs. The statistical variability in precision and accuracy between studies is partially explained by differences in reference standards.

Advances in nutritional management of chronic pancreatitis.

Nutrition has an important role in the management of chronic pancreatitis (CP), with two main goals for treatment of patients. The first goal is to provide optimal nutrition support and the second is to decrease pain by minimizing stimulation of the exocrine pancreas. Because cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates secretion from the exocrine pancreas, one approach is to decrease CCK levels through modulation of diet. If postprandial pain is a limiting factor, alternative enteral therapies that minimally stimulate the pancreas may be beneficial. Nutritional counseling, antioxidants, and pancreatic enzymes may play a role in effective management of CP as well. In addition, because idiopathic CP is associated with cystic fibrosis gene mutations, therapies directed toward cystic fibrosis may also benefit these patients.

Complementary therapies and the medical profession: a study of medical students' attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Despite the popularity of complementary therapies with the public, knowledge and use of these therapies among doctors appear limited. However, studies show that physicians and medical students are positive toward complementary therapies and have a high level of interest in learning about them. METHODS: The attitudes of medical students toward complementary therapies were examined using a questionnaire distributed to 800 first-, third-, and fifth-year medical students at two universities in Melbourne, Australia. RESULTS: The survey revealed that whereas Australian medical students were positive toward complementary therapies, their self-reported knowledge was low, with 56% having no knowledge of the principles of complementary therapies. Attitudes toward different therapies were found to vary widely, with students having little knowledge of chiropractic and naturopathy, the two therapies most commonly used by Australians. Students consistently scored meditation, massage, and acupuncture the highest with regard to knowledge, perceived usefulness, intended patterns of referral after graduation, and desire for education in the undergraduate degree. CONCLUSIONS: When the medical course included some tuition on complementary therapies, students were more positive toward them. A single lecture on complementary therapies was found to have significant impact on medical students' views. Medical students have a high level of interest in complementary therapies that is not being satisfied by their undergraduate curricula.

Temporal bone dissection using a low cost miniature electric drill.

The performance of various specialized and general purpose drills was assessed for use in temporal bone dissection. The Minicraft MB 120 and MB 130 were found to be as effective as specialized drills but with greater convenience and much reduced cost. The use of these drills allows high quality temporal bone dissection to be performed on a limited budget.

Natural history and prognosis of prostate carcinoma in adolescents and men under 35 years of age.

Prostate cancer is extremely rare in men under 35 years of age. The tumour is invariably poorly differentiated and aggressive, with rapidly growing bulky soft tissue metastases and negative tumour markers. Bone metastases develop late and are usually osteolytic. The disease responds poorly to radiation or hormonal therapy and is too advanced at presentation for radical surgery. Chemotherapy appears to be of some benefit, though in the majority of cases death occurs within a year. We describe a 31-year-old man with carcinoma of the prostate. A review of the literature is presented. This is the first patient in whom the epithelial origin of the prostate cancer was confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining with prostatic specific antigen. Plasma prostatic specific antigen was normal despite a large tumour burden and widespread metastases. He did not respond to conventional treatment. The phenotypic expression and biological behaviour of these tumours are distinct from those occurring in men beyond the fourth decade.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in association with vibration white finger.

In a prospective study, eight patients with 15 hands affected by both vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome were treated by surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel. On review six months later, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome were improved in all cases and the symptoms of white finger were improved in half of the cases. Nerve conduction studies and palmar skin histology are discussed.

Granulomatous lesions in nasal biopsies.

A series of 19 cases has been reviewed in which biopsy of an intra-nasal lesion revealed a granulomatous pathology. These have been classified on an aetiological basis. They include infections, Wegener's granuloma and neoplasms with a granulomatous stroma. One patient with sarcoidosis first presented with lesions in the nasal cavity. Cholesterol granulomata were seen in four lesions removed from the paranasal sinuses. In six cases clinical and histological examination failed to show a cause for the granulomata; in all of these patients the nasal cavity was free from disease at a subsequent examination.