Interrupción o abandono en el uso de productos de apoyo para la movilidad en personas con afectación neurológica / Discontinuation or abandonment of mobility assistive technology among people with neurological conditions

Introducción: Las personas con afectación neurológica suelen presentar, entre otras limitaciones, problemas en la movilidad funcional. Por ello, una estrategia de intervención para mitigar o compensar esta limitación es el uso de productos de apoyo para la movilidad, como sillas de ruedas tanto manuales como eléctricas, andadores, bastones, muletas, etc. Aunque los productos de apoyo son una estrategia habitual de intervención en personas con discapacidad, en ocasiones su uso es interrumpido o abandonado por no cubrir las necesidades del usuario o por falta de entrenamiento, entre otras causas. Pacientes y métodos: La muestra del análisis está formada por 80 usuarios de productos de apoyo para la movilidad, de los cuales 14 abandonaron o interrumpieron el uso del producto de apoyo. Las variables del estudio incluyen la escala Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) como medida de resultados, además de variables sociodemográficas específicas de la muestra y del producto de apoyo empleado. Resultados: Se obtienen valores significativos en las tres subescalas de la PIADS. Un 50% de los productos de apoyo abandonados corresponde a personas con diagnóstico de ictus. Conclusiones: La PIADS puede ser una herramienta adecuada para evaluar el posible abandono o la falta de uso de los productos de apoyo. Aunque los productos de apoyo son una correcta estrategia de intervención para mitigar las limitaciones en la movilidad, algunos usuarios abandonan o interrumpen su uso por diferentes factores. Es necesario realizar más estudios longitudinales para evitar esta limitación en el uso de productos de apoyo.(AU)

Introduction: Among other limitations, people with neurological conditions often experience problems with functional mobility. One of the intervention strategies employed to mitigate or compensate this limitation is the use of mobility assistive technology such as manual and electric wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, etc. Although assistive technology is a commonly used intervention strategy among disabled people, the use of this technology is sometimes discontinued or abandoned due to a failure to meet the user’s needs or a lack of training, among other reasons. Patients and methods: The sample used in this study comprises 80 users of mobility assistive technology, 14 of whom have abandoned or discontinued their use of Assistive Technology. The study variables include the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale for outcome measurement, as well as specific sociodemographic variables relating to the sample and the assistive device used. Results: Significant values were obtained in the three subscales of the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale. 50% of abandonments of assistive technology occurred among people diagnosed with stroke. Conclusion: The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale can be a useful tool for assessing potential abandonment or non-use of Assistive Technology. More longitudinal studies are required to avoid this limitation on the use of assistive technology.(AU)

Crisis de la prestación farmacéutica en los centros penitenciarios: el tratamiento de la hepatitis C / Crisis in pharmaceutical provisions within prisons: sanitary treatment of hepatitis C

El inicio de la andadura de nuevos medicamentos antivirales, como el boceprevir y telaprevir, específicos para el tratamiento de la hepatitis C, trajo nuevas esperanzas de curación para los afectados; esperanzas que se concentraron especialmente en un grupo ciudadano con una alta prevalencia de la enfermedad como la población reclusa y que chocaron de frente con las limitaciones que conllevaban: el aumento de los efectos adversos y el considerable aumento del coste del tratamiento. La ineficaz gestión de los tratamientos por parte de las instituciones, centradas más en las reclamaciones entre comunidades autónomas y el Gobierno por la asunción de los costes, revelaron en el seno del conflicto jurídico un problema de fondo con respecto a la prestación farmacéutica en los centros penitenciarios, donde se pusieron de relieve el incumplimiento del trasvase de competencias en materia de sanidad penitenciaria y la anacronía de la normativa penitenciaria en materia de fármacos con respecto a la legislación vigente, así como la desorganización de la prestación farmacéutica en los recintos penitenciarios. Problemas todos ellos que imponen la necesidad de la reflexión sobre la gestión de un sistema sanitario que afecta a una parte de la población privada de libertad y que tiende a ser olvidada

The beginning of the new antiviral drugs, such as boceprevir and telaprevir, specific for the treatment of Hepatitis C, brought new hopes of healing for those affected; hopes that especially affected to a group of people with a high prevalence of the disease, as the inmate population, and that clashed head-on with the limitations that entailed: the increase in side effects and the considerable increase in the cost of treatment. The inefficient management of the treatments by the institutions, focused more on the claims between the Autonomous Communities and the Government for the assumption of the costs, revealed in the heart of the legal conflict a substantive problem regarding the pharmaceutical provision in the prisons, where the breach of the transfer of powers in the field of prison health, and the anachronism of prison regulations regarding drugs with respect to current legislation, as well as the disorganization of pharmaceutical provision in prisons were highlighted. Problems all of them that impose the need for reflection on the management of a health system that affects a part of the population deprived of liberty and that tends to be forgotten

Cancelaciones de cirugías electivas en un hospital escuela: causas y estadísticas / Cancellations of elective surgeries in a teaching hospital: causes and statistics / Cancelamento de cirurgias eletivas em hospital escola: causas e estatísticas

OBJETIVO: Investigar las tasas de suspensión y motivos de cancelación de las cirugías electivas en un hospital en Rio Grande do Norte. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, cuantitativo, con análisis documental de los registros archivados en el sistema informatizado MV de la unidad del Centro quirúrgico del Hospital Universitario Onofre Lopes, en el período de abril de 2015 a abril de 2016. RESULTADOS: De las 8.622 (100%) cirugías programadas para el período investigado, el 74,2% fueron realizadas y el 25,8% canceladas. Entre las cirugías canceladas (2.227), la mayoría de las cancelaciones se hicieron por cirugía general (37,5%) y urología (21,6%). Los principales motivos de cancelación se introdujeron en las categorías relacionadas con la organización de la unidad (34,4%); relacionados con recursos humanos (27,1%); relacionados al paciente (6,5%); relacionado con materiales y equipamientos (6,2%), sin justificación (5,5%) y cirugía condicional (0,3%). CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio se torna relevante, pues permitió identificar las causas de cancelaciones de cirugías electivas en un hospital de la red pública, contribuyendo para mejorar la actuación profesional frente a la problemática, siendo posible reducir la cantidad de suspensiones, considerando que la mayoría de los motivos de cancelación son prevenibles

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the suspension rates and reasons for cancellation of elective surgery in a teaching hospital in Rio Grande do Norte. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective, quantitative study, with documentary analysis of the records filed in the computerized system of the Surgical Center unit of Onofre Lopes University Hospital, from April 2015 to April 2016. RESULTS: Of the 8.622 (100%) scheduled surgeries for the surveyed period, 74.2% were performed and 25.8% canceled. Among the canceled surgeries (2.227), most cancellations were made by General Surgery (37.5%) and Urology (21.6%). The main reasons for cancellations were included in the categories related to the following aspects: unit's organization (34.4%); related to human resources (27.1%); patient-related (6.5%); related to materials and equipment (6.2%), without justification (5.5%) and conditional surgery (0.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The study identified the cancellations causes of elective surgeries in a teaching hospital, contributing to the improvement of professional performance. This may contribute to reduce the number of suspensions, considering that most reasons for cancellation are prevenTable

OBJETIVO: Investigar as taxas de suspensão e motivos de cancelamento de cirurgias eletivas em um hospital escola do Rio Grande do Norte. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, quantitativo, com análise documental dos registros arquivados no sistema informatizado da unidade do Centro Cirúrgico do Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes, no período de abril de 2015 a abril de 2016. RESULTADOS: Das 8.622 (100%) cirurgias programadas para o período pesquisado, 74,2% foram realizadas e 25,8% canceladas. Dentre as cirurgias canceladas (2.227), a maioria dos cancelamentos foram feitos pela cirurgia geral (37,5%) e urologia (21,6%). Os principais motivos de cancelamentos foram inseridos nas categorias relacionados à organização da unidade (34,4%); relacionados a recursos humanos (27,1%); relacionados ao paciente (6,5%); relacionado a materiais e equipamentos (6,2%), sem justificativa (5,5%) e cirurgia condicional (0,3%). CONCLUSÕES: O estudo permitiu identificar as causas de cancelamentos de cirurgias eletivas em um hospital escola, contribuindo para melhoria da atuação profissional frente a problemática, sendo possível reduzir a quantidade de suspensões, considerando que a maioria dos motivos de cancelamento são preveníeis

Hepatitis C virus infection in jail: Difficult-to-reach, not to-treat. Results of a point-of-care screening and treatment program.

BACKGROUND: An unmet objective in the pursuit of HCV elimination is the creation of a simple and fast operating model to identify difficult-to-treat populations, like prisoners. Of many obstacles, the first is represented by the poor knowledge of inmates HCV-Ab prevalence. Moreover, due to the peculiar status of conviction, often their access to antiviral therapy is neglected. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection in a penitentiary Institution of Southern Italy through a point-of-care screening and treatment program. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in two phases: first, we reviewed all the prisoners' clinical records, to verify HCV-Ab execution. Subsequently, we performed a universal point-of-care screening and treatment program. RESULTS: We enrolled 670 patients. Overall, 310(46.27%) were already HCV-Ab tested. At the screening initiation, 23.28% patients were discharged, whereas 8.35% refused. Of the remaining 458 subjects, 58(12.67%) were HCV-Ab positive and 46 HCVRNA positive. All these underwent DAA, obtaining 100% SVR. At the end of the program, a total of 491(73.28%) subjects had HCV-Ab available. Sixty-nine (14.05%) were positive. A total of 214(31.94%) subjects were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We revealed a prevalence of 14.05% of HCV-Ab in conviction. Antiviral treatment was safe and efficacious. More efforts are advisable to provide screening for HCV-Ab in conviction.

Comparing Prospective and Retrospective Reports of Pregnancy Intention in a Longitudinal Cohort of U.S. Women.

CONTEXT: Measurement of pregnancy intentions typically relies on retrospective reporting, an approach that may misrepresent the extent of unintended pregnancy. However, the degree of possible misreporting is unclear, as little research has compared prospective and retrospective reports of intention for the same pregnancies. METHODS: Longitudinal data collected between 2010 and 2015 on 174 pregnancies were used to analyze the magnitude and direction of changes in intendedness (intended, ambivalent or unintended) between prospective and retrospective measurements of intendedness using versions of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP). Changes were assessed both continuously and categorically. Differences in the degree of change-by pregnancy outcome and participant characteristics-were examined using mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Over two and one-half years of follow-up, 143 participants reported 174 pregnancies. Approximately half showed changes in intention between the prospective and retrospective assessments, with 38% of participants reporting increased intendedness and 10% decreased intendedness. Reported intendedness increased more among those who gave birth (mean change in continuous LMUP score, 2.2) than among those who obtained an abortion (0.7), as well as among individuals with a college degree (4.1) than among those with a high school diploma (1.2). Participants who reported recent depression or anxiety symptoms showed more stable intentions (0.02) than those who did not (2.1). CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective measurement of pregnancy intentions may underestimate the frequency of unintended pregnancy, with such underestimation being greater among certain subgroups. Estimates based on retrospective reports thus may produce inaccurate impressions of intentionality. Further efforts to refine the measurement of pregnancy preferences are needed.

Incidencias y causas de la cancelación de cirugía en un hospital universitario, Barranquilla, Colombia 2016 / Incidences and Causes of Surgery Cancellation in a University Hospital in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 2016

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cirugía es todo procedimiento realizado en quirófano que permite el tratamiento oportuno a patologías y traumatismos; en Colombia un indicador de calidad para el Sistema de Información de salud es la proporción de cancelación de cirugía programada. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Diseñamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo, seleccionando todos los pacientes programados en la Institución Hospitalaria en el periodo de 1 enero 2016 a 31 diciembre de 2016. Un total de 3207 pacientes programados. Se analizaron las cancelaciones en factores atribuibles al paciente, institución y orden médica. RESULTADOS: De los 3207 procedimientos programados 1739 (54,2%) fueron hombres y 1468 (45,8%) mujeres, se programaron procedimientos quirúrgicos entre 6 meses y 116 años de edad, con un promedio de 38 años. Del total de programaciones 244 (7,6%) sufrieron cancelación de la cirugía, los meses con el menor y mayor incidencia de cancelación fue de agosto y noviembre con 9 (3,7%) y 36 (14,8%) respectivamente. La tasa de cancelación por especialidades medico quirúrgicas de manera independiente oscila entre 1 (0,4%) de las especialidades de ginecología oncológica, maxilofacial, urología y 85 (34,8%) de ortopedia.Las causas de cancelación se clasificaron en atribuibles a la institución 93 casos (38,1%), al usuario 99 (40,6) y por orden médica 52 (21,3%). CONCLUSIONES: El 41% de las cancelaciones podrían haber sido evitadas. Recomendamos seguimiento continuo a los pacientes programados, además divulgación de estos estudios a profesionales para el empoderamiento de las responsabilidades y la necesidad de educación a los usuarios que serán intervenidos

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is any procedure performed in the operating room that allows timely treatment of pathologies and injuries; in Colombia, an indicator of the quality of the information system is the proportion of scheduled surgery cancellations. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We designed a retrospective observational study, selecting all patients scheduled for surgery at the hospital institution from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. A total of 3207 patients were included. We analyzed cases of surgery cancellations because of factors attributable to the patient, institution, and medical order. RESULTS: Of the 3207 scheduled procedures, 1739 (54.2%) were men and 1468 (45.8%) were women. Surgical procedures were scheduled for patients aged between 6 months and 116 years, with an average age of 38 years. Of the scheduled procedures, 244 (7.6%) surgeries were cancelled. The months with the lowest and highest incidences of surgery cancellation were August and November, with 9 (3.7%) and 36 (14.8%) cancellations, respectively. The cancellation rate for surgical specialties independently ranged from 1 (0.4%) for gynecology specialties of oncology, maxillofacial, and urology and 85 (34.8%) for orthopedics.As the causes of cancellation, 93 (38.1%) were attributable to the institution, 99 (40.6) to patients, and 52 (21.3%) to medical orders. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 41% of cancellations could have been avoided. We recommend continuous monitoring of scheduled patients, as well as the dissemination of our findings to professionals for the empowerment of responsibilities and the need for education for patients undergoing intervention

A Prospective Cohort Study of the Effect of Receiving versus Being Denied an Abortion on Educational Attainment.

BACKGROUND: Research on the effects of unintended childbearing has been limited in its ability to disentangle the direct effects of childbearing from common selection factors that predispose women to both unintended childbearing and lower educational attainment. METHODS: Using data from a 5-year prospective cohort study of 876 individuals seeking abortion care, some of whom were denied care because they presented beyond a facility's gestational age limit, we used discrete time survival models to estimate the hazard of graduating and dropping out among those enrolled in high school, college, or other type of school (n = 280). We also examined cluster-adjusted bivariable differences in degrees completed by receipt versus denial of a wanted abortion. RESULTS: Participants denied an abortion who parented were equally likely to be in school as compared with women who received a wanted abortion (33 vs. 28%; p = .19); however, they were more likely to be seeking a high school diploma (40 vs. 24%; p = .05) than a higher degree. In adjusted models, there were no differences in the hazard of graduating (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-1.61) or dropping out (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-1.88) between those who were denied versus received an abortion. Among graduates, participants denied a wanted abortion less often completed a postsecondary degree (27%) compared with those who received a wanted abortion (71%; p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Unintended childbirth was not associated with graduating or dropping out in this population, a finding that is at least partially explained by differences in degrees sought at the time of abortion seeking.

Accepting new patients who require opioids into family practice: results from the MAAP-NS census survey study.

BACKGROUND: Acceptance to a family practice is key to access and continuity of care. While Canadian patients increasingly report not being able to acquire acceptance to a family practice, little is known about the association between requiring opioids and acceptance. We aim to determine the proportion of family physicians who would accept new patients who require opioids and describe physician and practice characteristics associated with willingness to accept these patients. METHODS: Census telephone survey of family physicians' practices in Nova Scotia, Canada. MEASURES: physician (i.e., age, sex, years in practice) and practice (i.e., number/type of provider in the practice, care hours/week) characteristics and practice-reported willingness to accept new patients who require opioids. RESULTS: The survey was completed for 587 family physicians (83.7% response rate). 354 (60.3%) were taking new patients unconditionally or with conditions; 326 provided a response to whether they would accept new patients who require opioids; 91 (27.9%) reported they would not accept a new patient who requires opioids. Compared to family physicians who would not accept patients who require opioids, in bivariate analysis, those who would, tended to work in larger practices; had fewer years in practice; are female; and provided more patient care. The relationship to number of providers in the practice, having a nurse, and experience persisted in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The strongest predictors of willingness to accept patients who require opioids are fewer years in practice (OR = 0.96 [95% CI 0.93, 0.99]) and variables indicating a family physician has support of a larger (OR = 1.19 [95% CI 1.00, 1.42]), interdisciplinary team (e.g., nurses, mental health professionals) (OR = 1.15 [95% CI 1.11, 5.05]). Almost three-quarters (72.1%) of surveyed family physicians would accept patients requiring opioids.

Secularity, abortion, assisted dying and the future of conscientious objection: modelling the relationship between attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Controversies arise over abortion, assisted dying and conscientious objection (CO) in healthcare. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between attitudes towards these bioethical dilemmas, and secularity and religiosity. METHOD: Data were drawn from a 2017 web-based survey of a representative sample of 1615 Norwegian adults. Latent moderated structural equations modelling was used to develop a model of the relationship between attitudes. RESULTS: The resulting model indicates that support for abortion rights is associated with pro-secular attitudes and is a main "driver" for support for assisted dying and opposition to conscientious objection. CONCLUSIONS: This finding should be regarded as a hypothesis which ought to be tested in other populations. If the relationship is robust and reproduced elsewhere, there are important consequences for CO advocates who would then have an interest in disentangling the debate about CO from abortion; and for health systems who ought to consider carefully how a sound policy on CO can safeguard both patient trust in the services and the moral integrity of professionals. It is suggested that if religiosity wanes and pro-secular and pro-abortion attitudes become more widespread, support for CO might decline, putting into question whether present policies of toleration of conscientious refusals will remain acceptable to the majority.

Managing malignant pleural mesothelioma: experience and perceptions of health care professionals caring for people with mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has a poor prognosis and heavy symptom burden. Here, we investigate health professionals' attitudes to management and decision-making in people with MPM. METHODS: Survey questions were based on previous interviews with health professionals, MPM patients, and caregivers. Surveys were sent to specialist doctors and nurses who treat MPM. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 107 doctors and 19 nurses from January-September 2014. Most doctors were respiratory physicians (50%) or medical oncologists (35%). Overall, 90% of doctors estimated > 10% of eligible MPM patients did not receive chemotherapy; 43% estimated the rate was > 20%. Doctors believed clinical barriers to chemotherapy were clinician nihilism (70%); non-referral to medical oncology (49%); and lack of specialists in rural/regional areas (44%). Nurses perceived barriers as follows: delayed diagnosis (74%); non-referral to medical oncology (63%); lack of clinician knowledge (58%). Patient-related barriers were negative perception of chemotherapy (83%) and belief survival benefit not worthwhile (63%). Doctors' preference in decision-making was for the patient to make the decision while strongly considering the doctor's opinion (33%); equally with the doctor (29%); and using knowledge gained (23%). Nurses described their roles as providing patient support (100%); information (95%); intermediary (74%); and link to palliative care (74%). Overall, 95% believed they enabled better resource allocation and provided patients with holistic care (95%); clearer communication (89%); more time (89%); additional information (89%); timely referrals (89%). CONCLUSIONS: Caring for patients with MPM is challenging and complex. Health care professionals believe under-utilisation of chemotherapy is occurring, primarily due to clinician nihilism and lack of medical oncology referral.

[Evolution of mortality, retention and loss to follow up of HIV infected subjects followed in a special clinic]. / Evolución de mortalidad, abandono, traslado y retención a corto, mediano y largo plazo en pacientes con infección por VIH: Fundación Arriarán 1990-2015.

BACKGROUND: The HIV epidemic reached Chile in late 1980s and as an early response, AIDS care centers were organized. Fundación Arriarán (FA) was the first center. Free antiretroviral therapy (ART) was later provided with progressive coverage and complexity over the years. AIM: To quantify evolution of mortality, retention and loss to follow up (LTFU) over 25 years according to different periods of access to ART, from no availability to full coverage with current drugs at FA center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of FA database of 5,080 adults admitted between 1990 and 2014. The sample was distributed in 7 groups: A: no ART (1990-92), B: monotherapy, C: dual therapy, D: dual/triple ART, E: early triple therapy with incomplete coverage, F same as E but with complete coverage and G: contemporary ART (2008-14). Mortality, retention and LTFU were evaluated at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years and at 31/12/2015. RESULTS: Mortality varied from 40% to 2%, and 62% to 7% at 1 and 5 years, for groups A and G respectively; from 71% to 16% at 10 years for groups A and E, respectively. Retention at 5 years were 28%, 23%, 39%, 62%, 75%, 75% and 77% for groups A to G, respectively. LTFU was 10%, 19%, 15%, 17%, 9% 12% and 10% at 5 years for same groups, respectively. At 12/31/2015 22% of patients had died, 11% were LTFU, 60% were retained in care and 6% had been transferred. CONCLUSIONS: There is a marked reduction in mortality and increase in retention of HIV patients' concomitant to expanded access to modern therapy, although LTFU remains a problem.

Going the distance: Are we losing patients along the multiple myeloma treatment pathway?

Despite data suggesting that individuals with multiple myeloma can benefit from receiving several lines of therapy, and guidelines recommending treatment after relapse, a recent European patient chart review found that only 61% of patients receive second-line treatment. The review found that factors such as old age and previous adverse events lead to physicians deciding not to treat after relapse. However, given the large number of regimens available, treatment can be tailored to individual patients' needs and supportive care measures can help with the management of adverse effects. If approved therapies are not suitable for a patient, guidelines recommend registration in a clinical trial, yet only 7% of patients in the review were participating in such studies. A need for better education on the range of treatments available and their risk-benefit profiles is suggested. Access to new drugs should be examined to maximise the number of patients benefitting from them.

Evolución de mortalidad, abandono, traslado y retención a corto, mediano y largo plazo en pacientes con infección por VIH: Fundación Arriarán 1990-2015 / Evolution of mortality, retention and loss to follow up of HIV infected subjects followed in a special clinic

Background: The HIV epidemic reached Chile in late 1980s and as an early response, AIDS care centers were organized. Fundación Arriarán (FA) was the first center. Free antiretroviral therapy (ART) was later provided with progressive coverage and complexity over the years. Aim: To quantify evolution of mortality, retention and loss to follow up (LTFU) over 25 years according to different periods of access to ART, from no availability to full coverage with current drugs at FA center. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of FA database of 5,080 adults admitted between 1990 and 2014. The sample was distributed in 7 groups: A: no ART (1990-92), B: monotherapy, C: dual therapy, D: dual/triple ART, E: early triple therapy with incomplete coverage, F same as E but with complete coverage and G: contemporary ART (2008-14). Mortality, retention and LTFU were evaluated at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years and at 31/12/2015. Results: Mortality varied from 40% to 2%, and 62% to 7% at 1 and 5 years, for groups A and G respectively; from 71% to 16% at 10 years for groups A and E, respectively. Retention at 5 years were 28%, 23%, 39%, 62%, 75%, 75% and 77% for groups A to G, respectively. LTFU was 10%, 19%, 15%, 17%, 9% 12% and 10% at 5 years for same groups, respectively. At 12/31/2015 22% of patients had died, 11% were LTFU, 60% were retained in care and 6% had been transferred. Conclusions: There is a marked reduction in mortality and increase in retention of HIV patients' concomitant to expanded access to modern therapy, although LTFU remains a problem.

Resultados de morbimortalidad en cáncer colorrectal en paciente quirúrgico frágil. Implementación de un Área de Atención al Paciente Quirúrgico Complejo / Colorectal carcinoma in the frail surgical patient. Implementation of a Work Area focused on the Complex Surgical Patient improves postoperative outcome

INTRODUCCIÓN: La edad avanzada y la presencia de comorbilidades repercuten en la morbimortalidad postoperatoria del paciente quirúrgico frágil. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar los resultados de morbimortalidad tras cirugía por cáncer colorrectal en el paciente quirúrgico frágil tras la implementación de un Área de Atención al paciente Quirúrgico Complejo (AAPQC). MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo con recogida prospectiva de datos. Un total de 91 pacientes consecutivos considerados como frágiles (ASAIV o ASAIII con Barthel < 80 i/o Pfeiffer>3) fueron intervenidos entre 2013 y 2015 con diagnóstico de cáncer colorrectal con intención curativa. Grupo I (AAPQC): 35 pacientes incluidos en AAPQC durante 2015. Grupo II (No AAPQC): 56 pacientes intervenidos entre 2013 y 2014 previa implementación del AAPQC. Se analizó homogeneidad de grupos, complicaciones, estancia media, mortalidad, reintervenciones, reingresos y costes en función del GRD. RESULTADOS: No se encontraron diferencias significativas en edad, sexo, ASA, índex de masa corporal, estadio tumoral y tipo de intervención quirúrgica entre los dos grupos. Las complicaciones mayores (Clavien-DindoIII-IV) (11,4% vs. 28,5%, p = 0,041), la estancia media (12,6 ± 6 días vs. 15,2 ± 6 días, p = 0,043), los reingresos (11,4% vs. 28,3%, p = 0,041) y el peso específico del episodio (3,29 ± 1 vs 4,3 ± 1, p = 0,008) fueron significativamente menores en el grupo AAPQC. No hubo diferencias en re intervenciones (6,2% vs. 5,3%) ni mortalidad (6,2% vs 7,1%). El 96,9% de pacientes del grupo I manifestó una atención y calidad de vida satisfactoria. CONCLUSIONES: La implementación de una AAPQC en pacientes frágiles que deben ser intervenidos de cáncer colorrectal comporta una reducción de las complicaciones, estancia y reingresos, y es una medida coste-efectiva

INTRODUCTION: Advanced age and comorbidity impact on post-operative morbi-mortality in the frail surgical patient. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and individualized care delivered to the frail patient by implementation of a Work Area focused on the Complex Surgical Patient (CSPA). METHODS: Retrospective study with prospective data collection. Ninety one consecutive patients, classified as frail (ASAIII or IV, Barthel<80 and/or Pfeiffer>3) underwent curative radical surgery for colorectal carcinoma between 2013 and 2015. GroupI: 35 patients optimized by the CSPA during 2015. Group II: 56 No-CSPA patients, treated prior to CSPA implementation, during 2014-2015. Group homogeneity, complication rate, length of stay, reoperations, readmissions, costs and overall mortality were analyzed and adjusted by Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in term of age, gender, ASA classification, body mass index, tumor staging and type of surgical intervention between the two groups. Major complications (Clavien-DindoIII-IV) (12.5% vs. 28.5%, P = .04), hospital stay (12.6 ± 6 days vs. 15.2 ± 6 days, P = 0.041), readmissions (12.5% vs. 28.3%, P < 0.041), and patient episode cost weighted according to DRG (3.29 ± 1 vs. 4.3 ± 1, P = 0.008) were statistically inferior in Group CSPA. There were no differrences in reoperations (6.2% vs. 5.3%) or mortality (6.2% vs. 7.1%). 96.9% of patients of Group I manifested having received a satisfactory attention and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a CSPA, delivering surgical care to frail colorectal cancer patients, involves a reduction of complications, length of stay and readmissions, and is a cost-effective arrangement

Preventing Pasung by mentally ill patients' families

Pasung is a way of handling the mentally ill in the several Indonesian communities. In many cases, when the patients leave the hospital they are once again turned out by their families and returned to the pasung. This study aims to identify and explore the means of preventing mentally ill patients in the community from being subjected to pasung through a test of Daulima's Pasung Decision Questionnaire that measures a family's intention to use pasung.This study tested the content validity and reliability of Daulima's Pasung Decision Questionnaire by using the Spearman-Brown single test-single trial. The respondents were 300 people drawn from five provinces in Indonesia: West Sumatra, East Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, West Java and the Special Capital Region of Jakarta. The validity and reliability results showed that the content of this instrument is valid once improvements had been made to the statement items numbers 16 and 17. It was also shown to be reliable by the consistency of the responses with an alpha value of 0.729. This means that responses to the instrument are consistent and are reliable measures of the level of intention of the mentally ill patient's family to use pasung

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Renunciation of health care by people living with HIV in France is still associated with discrimination in health-care services and social insecurity - results from the ANRS-VESPA2 survey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to estimate the frequency of renunciation of health care among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in France, including health care unrelated to HIV, and to characterize associated socioeconomic and psychosocial risk factors. METHODS: The cross-sectional ANRS-VESPA2 survey was conducted on adult PLHIV attending French hospitals in 2011. Correlates of health-care renunciation in the 12 months before the survey were assessed through logistic modelling. RESULTS: Among the 3,020 PLHIV included in the sample, 17% declared health-care renunciation during the preceding year and 42% had a high level of social insecurity. During the previous 2 years, 8% and 11%, respectively, were discriminated against by medical staff and family. In multivariate analysis, positive associations were found between health-care renunciation and a high level of social insecurity (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] 3.44 [2.54, 4.65]; P<0.001), having children (1.52 [1.10, 2.10]; P=0.01), smoking tobacco (1.50 [1.13, 1.98]; P=0.01), discrimination by medical staff (1.53 [1.22, 2.29]; P=0.04) or family (2.48 [1.75, 3.52]; P<0.001), major depressive episodes (1.46 [1.02, 2.09]; P=0.04), past or current drug injection (1.54 [1.03, 2.30]; P=0.04), and younger age (0.98 [0.97, 1.00]; P=0.03). Health-care renunciation was also negatively associated with HIV diagnosis after 1996 (1996-2002: 0.64 [0.46, 0.90]; P=0.01; ≥2003: 0.56 [0.40, 0.77]; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of universal health insurance in France, barrier- and refusal-renunciation of health care by PLHIV remain frequent. Poor psychosocial outcomes and discrimination by families and health-care providers compound the negative effect of social insecurity on health-care seeking in this population. To ensure optimal medical care, strategies are needed to prevent discrimination against PLHIV in health-care services. Special attention must be provided to patients experiencing social insecurity.

Contraceptive Use over Five Years After Receipt Or Denial of Abortion Services.

CONTEXT: Nonuse and inconsistent use of contraceptives contribute to a high incidence of unintended pregnancy and abortion among U.S. women. Little is known, however, about how these outcomes shape women's subsequent contraceptive use and unintended pregnancy risk. METHODS: Contraceptive use was examined among 880 participants in the Turnaway Study, a five-year longitudinal study of women who sought abortions at 30 U.S. facilities in 2008-2010. Multivariable mixed-effects logistic and multinomial regression models assessed differences in use by whether women received the abortion; results were used to calculate predicted percentages of women using each method. The main groups of interest were 415 women who had an abortion at a gestation near their facility's limit and 160 who were denied abortion because they were beyond the limit, and who consequently gave birth. RESULTS: During each of the approximately five years of follow-up, the predicted percentage using any contraceptive method was 86% among women who had the abortion and 81% among those denied it. Over the entire period, the former women were more likely than the latter to use any method (odds ratio, 1.8). However, they were less likely to rely on female sterilization, rather than no method (risk ratio, 0.5), and more likely to use barrier methods (1.7) or short-acting reversible contraceptives (2.6). CONCLUSION: Women's elevated risk of unintended pregnancy after abortion is likely due at least partly to reliance on methods with relatively low effectiveness. Factors affecting contraceptive access postabortion, as well as individual characteristics such as fecundability, require research attention.