Responsiveness on metabolic syndrome criteria and hepatic parameters after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of multidisciplinary intervention in overweight adolescents.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect and individual responsiveness after 12 (12wk) and 24 weeks (24wk) of physical exercise (PE) and nutritional guidance (NG) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria and hepatic parameters in overweight adolescents. METHODS: The study comprised 94 overweight adolescents, aged between 10 and 16 years old, from both sexes, allocated into groups: PE and NG (PENGG, n = 64) and control with NG (NGCG, n = 30). Variables were collected at baseline, 12wk, and 24wk. Weight, height, abdominal circumference (AC), blood pressure, and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), as well as insulin, triglycerides (TAG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated. HOMA-IR and QUICKI were calculated. PE session consisted of 45 min of indoor cycling, 45 min of walking, and 20 min of stretching, three times a week. The NG consisted of three collective sessions in the first 12wk. Anova, effect size, and prevalence of responders were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The PENGG12wk reduced anthropometric and metabolic measurements, while increased VO2peak and HDL-c. The PEG24wk promoted anthropometric, blood pressure, metabolic, and VO2peak improvements, but participants without PE returned to pre-exercise status and presented worsening AST and ALT concentrations. Frequencies of respondents in PENGG12wk versus (vs) NGCG12wk were, respectively, AC (69.1% vs 17.6%, p < 0.01), HDL-c (87.2% vs 23.5%, p < 0.01), TAG (67.3% vs 41.7%, p = 0.05) and ALT (45.5% vs 5,9%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Interventions with PE were effective to reduce MetS components in 12wk and maintenance in 24wk, showing anthropometric, metabolic, and VO2peak improvements. Higher individual responses were observed in 12wk and in 24wk, important changes in overweight adolescent's therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials randomization. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-4v6h7b) and date of registration April 4th, 2020.

Thermally Induced Crossover from 2D to 1D Behavior in an Array of Atomic Wires: Silicon Dangling-Bond Solitons in Si(553)-Au.

The self-assembly of submonolayer amounts of Au on the densely stepped Si(553) surface creates an array of closely spaced "atomic wires" separated by 1.5 nm. At low temperature, charge transfer between the terraces and the row of silicon dangling bonds at the step edges leads to a charge-ordered state within the row of dangling bonds with ×3 periodicity. Interactions between the dangling bonds lead to their ordering into a fully two-dimensional (2D) array with centered registry between adjacent steps. We show that as the temperature is raised, soliton defects are created within each step edge. The concentration of solitons rises with increasing temperature and eventually destroys the 2D order by decoupling the step edges, reducing the effective dimensionality of the system to 1D. This crossover from higher to lower dimensionality is unexpected and, indeed, opposite to the behavior in other systems.

Non-medical factors significantly influence the length of hospital stay after surgery for degenerative spine disorders.

BACKGROUND: Unnecessarily long hospital stays are costly and inefficient. Studies have shown that the length of hospital stay (LOS) for spine surgical procedures is influenced by various disease-related or medical factors, but few have examined the role of socio-demographic/socio-economic (SDE) factors. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of data from 10,770 patients (5056 men, 5714 women; 62 ± 15 years) with degenerative spinal disorders, collected prospectively in an in-house database within the framework of EUROSPINE's Spine Tango Registry. Surgeons completed the Tango surgery form (clinical history, demographics, surgical measures, complications), and patients, a baseline Core Outcome Measures Index. Stepwise linear regression analyses examined SDE predictors of LOS, controlling for potential medical/biological factors. RESULTS: The mean LOS was 7.9 ± 5.2 days. The final model accounted for 42% of variance in LOS, with SDE variables explaining 13% variance and medical/surgical predictors, 29%. In the final model, the SDE factors age and being female were significant independent predictors of LOS, whereas others were either non-significant (insurance status, being of Swiss nationality, being a smoker) or reached only borderline significance (p < 0.1) (BMI). Controlling for all other SDE and medical/surgical confounders, being female was associated with 1.11-day longer LOS (95% CI 0.96-1.27; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients of advanced age and female gender are at increased risk of longer hospital stay after surgery for degenerative spinal disorders. Further studies should seek to understand the reasoning behind the gender disparity, in order to minimise potentially unnecessary costs of prolonged LOS. Targeted preoperative discharge planning may improve the utilisation of hospital resources. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Analysis of Minimally Invasive Left Thoracotomy HVAD Implantation - A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation may reduce peri-/postoperative complications and risks associated with resternotomies. In this study, we describe our first results using a minimally invasive LVAD implantation technique (lateral thoracotomy [LT] group). These results were compared with LVAD implantations done via full median sternotomy (STX group). METHODS: HVAD (HeartWare, Framingham, Massachusetts, United States) implantations in 70 patients (LT group n = 22, 52 ± 15 years old; STX group n = 48, 59 ± 11 years old) were retrospectively analyzed. Minimally invasive access via left thoracotomy was feasible in 22 patients. Peri- and postoperative analyses of survival and adverse events were performed. RESULTS: No survival differences were observed between the LT and STX group (p = 0.43). LT patients without temporary right ventricular assist device (tRVAD) showed a significantly better survival rate compared to LT patients with concomitant tRVAD implantation (p = 0.02), which could not be demonstrated in the STX group (p = 0.11). Two LT and four STX patients were successfully bridged to heart transplantation and three STX patients were successfully weaned with subsequent LVAD explantations. LVAD-related infections (n = 4 LT group vs n = 20 STX group, p = 0.04) were less likely in the LT group. No wound dehiscence occurred in the LT group, whereas five were observed in the STX group (p = 0.17). The amount of perioperative blood transfusions (within the first 7 postoperative days) did not differ in both study groups (p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive approach is a viable alternative with the possibility to reduce complications and should be particularly considered for bridge-to-transplant patients.

Distance from home to the nearest park and the use of the parks for physical activity: the mediator role of road safety perception in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to examine whether adolescents' road safety perception (RSP) acts as a mediator on the association between the distance from home to the nearest park and the use of the parks for physical activity (PA). STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: The evaluation was through a random sample of 1130 adolescents (534 male), corresponding to 47.3%, 14-20 years old, from Porto Alegre, Brazil. RSP was assessed through some questions of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth. Park use, socioeconomic status, age, and sex were measured using a questionnaire. Distance from home to the nearest park was evaluated through geographic information system. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation, and linear regression models were fitted as per the Baron and Kenny procedures for mediation analyses. All analyses were adjusted for sex and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Road safety perception is independently associated with less distance from home to the nearest park (P = 0.04) and use of the parks for PA (P = 0.02). Road safety perception is a mediator and explains 16% of the association between park use and distance from home to the park (indirect Effect = -40.9966; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 119.3733-2.2455). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that RSP is a mediator on the association between the distance from home to the nearest park and the use of the parks for PA. Future studies should take this into consideration frequency and intensity of PA and other environmental characteristics, such as crime, aesthetics, and neighborhood facilities.

Substantial rise in the lifetime risk of primary total knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis from 2003 to 2013: an international, population-level analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and compare the lifetime risk of total knee replacement surgery (TKR) for osteoarthritis (OA) between countries, and over time. METHOD: Data on primary TKR procedures performed for OA in 2003 and 2013 were extracted from national arthroplasty registries in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Life tables and population data were also obtained for each country. Lifetime risk of TKR was calculated for 2003 and 2013 using registry, life table and population data. RESULTS: Marked international variation in lifetime risk of TKR was evident, with females consistently demonstrating the greatest risk. In 2013, Finland had the highest lifetime risk for females (22.8%, 95%CI 22.5-23.1%) and Australia had the highest risk for males (15.4%, 95%CI 15.1-15.6%). Norway had the lowest lifetime risk for females (9.7%, 95%CI 9.5-9.9%) and males (5.8%, 95%CI 5.6-5.9%) in 2013. All countries showed a significant rise in lifetime risk of TKR for both sexes over the 10-year study period, with the largest increases observed in Australia (females: from 13.6% to 21.1%; males: from 9.8% to 15.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Using population-based data, this study identified significant increases in the lifetime risk of TKR in all five countries from 2003 to 2013. Lifetime risk of TKR was as high as 1 in 5 women in Finland, and 1 in 7 males in Australia. These risk estimates quantify the healthcare resource burden of knee OA at the population level, providing an important resource for public health policy development and healthcare planning.

RESPOND: a programme to prevent secondary falls in older people presenting to the emergency department with a fall: protocol for an economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Falls remain common for community-dwelling older people and impose a substantial economic burden to the healthcare system. RESPOND is a novel falls prevention programme that aims to reduce secondary falls and fall injuries among older people who present to a hospital emergency department (ED) with a fall. The present protocol describes a prospective economic evaluation examining the incremental cost-effectiveness of the RESPOND programme, compared with usual care practice, from the Australian health system perspective. METHODS AND DESIGN: This economic evaluation will recruit 528 participants from two major tertiary hospital EDs in Australia and will be undertaken alongside a multisite randomised controlled trial. Outcome and costing data will be collected for all participants over the 12-month trial. It will compare the RESPOND falls prevention programme with usual care practice (current community-based falls prevention practices) to determine its incremental cost-effectiveness according to three intermediate clinical outcomes: (1) falls prevented, (2) fall injuries prevented and (3) injurious falls prevented. In addition, utilities will be derived from a generic quality-of-life measure (EQ-5D-5L) and used to calculate the 'incremental cost per quality-adjusted life years gained'. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide healthcare decision makers with evidence to assist with setting spending thresholds for preventive health programmes and inform selection of emergency and community service models of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000336684); Pre-results.

Swiss S1 guideline for the treatment of rosacea.

Rosacea (in German sometimes called 'Kupferfinne', in French 'Couperose' and in Italian 'Copparosa') is a chronic and frequently relapsing inflammatory skin disease primarily affecting the central areas of the face. Its geographic prevalence varies from 1% to 22%. The differential diagnosis is wide, and the treatment is sometimes difficult and varies by stage of rosacea. For erythematous lesions and telangiectasia, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and lasers are popular treatment option. In addition, a vasoconstrictor agent, brimonidine, has recently been developed. For papulopustular rosacea, topical antibiotics, topical and systemic retinoids, as well as systemic antibiotics are used. A topical acaricidal agent, ivermectin, has undergone clinical development and is now on the market. In the later stages, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands develops, resulting in phymatous growths such as the frequently observed bulbous nose or rhinophyma. Ablative laser treatments have largely replaced classical abrasive tools. Here, we reviewed the current evidence on the treatment of rosacea, provide a guideline (S1 level) and discuss the differential diagnosis of rosacea.

[Nerve injuries and traumatic lesions of the brachial plexus : Imaging diagnostics and therapeutic options]. / Nervenverletzungen und traumatische Läsionen des Plexus brachialis : Bildgebende Diagnostik und therapeutische Optionen.

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: Traumatic lesions of peripheral nerves and the brachial plexus are feared complications because they frequently result in severe functional impairment. The prognosis is greatly dependent on the correct early diagnosis and the right choice of treatment regimen. It is important to distinguish between open and closed injuries. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: Initial imaging must critically evaluate or prove nerve continuity and is commonly achieved by high-resolution ultrasonography. During the further course, reactive soft tissue alterations, such as constrictive scarring or neuroma formation can be detected. In the case of deep nerve and plexus injuries this can be excellently achieved by dedicated magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) sequences. METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: The signal yield from brachial plexus imaging can be critically enhanced by the use of dedicated surface coil arrays. Furthermore, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may enable the regeneration potential of a nerve lesion to be recognized in the future. PERFORMANCE: Multiple reports have shown that neurosonography enables a precise evaluation of peripheral nerve structures (up to 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity in nerve transection) and that the method can critically impact on therapeutic decision-making in 60%. Currently, there are only few quantitative data on the exact performance of MRN in traumatic nerve lesions; however, individual reports indicate a high level of agreement with intraoperative findings. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: In the initial work-up, especially in the case of peripheral, superficial and lesser nerve injuries, neurosonography is the preferred imaging approach to evaluate nerve integrity and the extent of nerve lesions. In the case of extensive nerve injury of proximal nerves and structures of the plexus as well as in the case of suspected root avulsion MRN is the method of choice.

RESPOND: a patient-centred programme to prevent secondary falls in older people presenting to the emergency department with a fall-protocol for a mixed methods programme evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Programme evaluations conducted alongside randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have potential to enhance understanding of trial outcomes. This paper describes a multi-level programme evaluation to be conducted alongside an RCT of a falls prevention programme (RESPOND). OBJECTIVES: (1) To conduct a process evaluation in order to identify the degree of implementation fidelity and associated barriers and facilitators. (2) To evaluate the primary intended impact of the programme: participation in fall prevention strategies and the factors influencing participation. (3) To identify the factors influencing RESPOND RCT outcomes: falls, fall injuries and emergency department (ED) re-presentations. METHODS/DESIGN: 528 community-dwelling adults aged 60-90 years presenting to two EDs with a fall will be recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention or standard care group. All RESPOND participants and RESPOND clinicians will be included in the evaluation. A mixed methods design will be used and a programme logic model will frame the evaluation. Data will be sourced from interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, clinician case notes, recruitment records, participant-completed calendars, hospital administrative datasets and audio-recordings of intervention contacts. Quantitative data will be analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data will be interpreted using thematic analysis. DISCUSSION: The RESPOND programme evaluation will provide information about contextual and influencing factors related to the RESPOND RCT outcomes. The results will assist researchers, clinicians and policy makers regarding decisions about future falls prevention interventions. Insights gained may be applicable to a range of chronic conditions where similar preventive intervention approaches are indicated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This programme evaluation is linked to the RESPOND RCT which is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000336684).

Fibromyalgia onset has a high impact on work ability in Australians.

BACKGROUND: Although the disabling effects of fibromyalgia (FM) are well recognised, there are no published data regarding the impact of FM on work ability in Australians. The impact of the development of FM symptoms on ability to work in Australians was explored in a pilot survey project. METHOD: Members of the Fibromyalgia Support Network of Western Australia were invited to undertake an anonymous online survey. Information was gathered regarding demographics, symptom onset, the timing of diagnosis, employment status and changes in the ability to work. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-seven responses were analysed. Of the respondents, 90.6% were female, with a mean age of 51.1 ± 10.6 years and had experienced symptoms between 2 and 20 years; 52.8% were diagnosed less than 5 years previously. Of the participants, 54.2% were working full time and 21.5% working part time at symptom onset; however, only 15.6% were currently working full time, with 44.8% not currently working at all. Because of FM, 24.3% stopped and 32.6% reduced paid work directly within 5 years of symptom development, with 15.3% ceasing and an additional 17.4% reducing work because of symptoms before diagnosis. Due to FM symptoms, 35.1% currently received financial support because they were unable to work. While 24.3% reported FM medication increased their ability to work, 20.8% reported it reduced their ability to work. CONCLUSION: A community pilot survey of Australians with FM indicates a high impact on work ability. This occurs from symptom onset and often before diagnosis. Early diagnosis and intervention may provide a window of opportunity to prevent work disability in FM.

The substantial personal burden experienced by younger people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and psychological distress in younger people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) to age- and sex-matched population norms, and evaluate work limitations in this group. METHOD: People aged 20-55 years with hip or knee OA were recruited from major hospitals (n = 126) and community advertisements (n = 21). HRQoL was assessed using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instrument (minimal important difference 0.06 AQoL units) and compared to population norms. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the prevalence of high/very high distress (K10 score ≥22) was compared to Australian population data. Work limitations were evaluated using the Workplace Activity Limitations Scale (WALS). RESULTS: Considering most participants had a relatively recent OA diagnosis (<5 years), the extent of HRQoL impairment was unexpected. A very large reduction in HRQoL was evident for the overall sample, compared with population norms (mean difference -0.35 AQoL units, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.31). Females, people aged 40-49 years, and those with hip OA reported average HRQoL impairment of almost 40% (mean reductions -0.38 to -0.39 AQoL units). The overall prevalence of high/very high distress was 4 times higher than for the population (relative risk 4.19, 95% CI 3.53-4.98) and 67% reported moderate to considerable OA-related work disability, according to WALS scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly demonstrate the substantial personal burden experienced by younger people with hip or knee OA, and support the provision of targeted services to improve HRQoL and maximise work participation in this group.

Open flow microperfusion: pharmacokinetics of human insulin and insulin detemir in the interstitial fluid of subcutaneous adipose tissue.

AIMS: To compare the time profile of insulin detemir and human insulin concentrations in the interstitial fluid (ISF) of subcutaneous adipose tissue during constant i.v. infusion and to investigate the relationship between the pharmacokinetics of both insulin molecules in plasma and the ISF of subcutaneous adipose tissue. METHODS: During a 6-h hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp (plasma glucose level 8 mmol/l) human insulin (21 and 42 pmol/min/kg) or insulin detemir (209 and 417 pmol/min/kg) were infused i.v. in eight rats per dose level. Open flow microperfusion (OFM) was used to continuously assess interstitial insulin concentrations in subcutaneous adipose tissue. RESULTS: At the lower infusion rate, insulin detemir appeared significantly later in the ISF than in the plasma (p < 0.05) and also appeared later in the ISF relative to human insulin (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: By using OFM we were able to monitor albumin-bound insulin detemir directly in the ISF of subcutaneous tissue and confirm its delayed transendothelial passage to a peripheral site of action.

RESPOND--A patient-centred programme to prevent secondary falls in older people presenting to the emergency department with a fall: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Participation in falls prevention activities by older people following presentation to the emergency department (ED) with a fall is suboptimal. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) will test the RESPOND programme, an intervention designed to improve older persons' participation in falls prevention activities through delivery of patient-centred education and behaviour change strategies. DESIGN AND SETTING: A RCT at two tertiary referral EDs in Melbourne and Perth, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 528 community-dwelling people aged 60-90 years presenting to the ED with a fall and discharged home will be recruited. People who require an interpreter or hands-on assistance to walk; live in residential aged care or >50 km from the trial hospital; have terminal illness, cognitive impairment, documented aggressive behaviour or a history of psychosis; are receiving palliative care or are unable to use a telephone will be excluded. METHODS: Participants will be randomly allocated to the RESPOND intervention or standard care control group. RESPOND incorporates (1) a home-based risk factor assessment; (2) education, coaching, goal setting and follow-up telephone support for management of one or more of four risk factors with evidence of effective interventions and (3) healthcare provider communication and community linkage delivered over 6 months. Primary outcomes are falls and fall injuries per person-year. DISCUSSION: RESPOND builds on prior falls prevention learnings and aims to help individuals make guided decisions about how they will manage their falls risk. Patient-centred models have been successfully trialled in chronic and cardiovascular disease; however, evidence to support this approach in falls prevention is limited. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000336684).

Overview of shorthand medical glossary (OMG) study.

BACKGROUND: Shorthand is commonplace in clinical notation. While many abbreviations are standard and widely accepted, an increasing number are non-standard and/or unrecognisable. AIM: We sought to describe the frequency of inappropriate and ambiguous shorthand in discharge summaries. METHODS: Eighty electronic discharge summaries from the four General Medical Units at the Royal Melbourne Hospital were randomly extracted from the hospital's electronic records. Extraction was stratified by the four units and by the four quarters between July 2012 and June 2013. All abbreviations were assigned into one of four categories according to appropriateness: 1. 'Universally accepted and understood even without context'; 2. 'Understood when in context'; 3. 'Understood but inappropriate and/or ambiguous'; and 4. 'Unknown'. These categories were determined by the authors, which included junior and senior medical staff. RESULTS: The 80 discharge summaries contained 840 different abbreviations used on 6269 occasions. Of all words, 20.1% were abbreviations. Of the 6269 occasions of shorthand, 6.8% were categorised as 'Understood but inappropriate and/or ambiguous' or 'Unknown' (category 3 or 4), equating to 1.4% of all words, and an average of 5.4 words per discharge summary. CONCLUSION: Abbreviations are common in electronic discharge summaries, occurring at a frequency of one in five words. While the majority of shorthand used seems to be appropriate, the use of inappropriate, ambiguous or unknown shorthand is still frequent. This has implications for safe and effective patient care and highlights the need for better awareness and education regarding use of shorthand in clinical notation.

Geographical variation in incidence of knee arthroscopy for patients with osteoarthritis: a population-based analysis of Victorian hospital separations data.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the frequency and geographical variation in knee arthroscopy for adults (>25 years) with a concomitant diagnosis of osteoarthritis. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of hospital separations involving an elective knee arthroscopy in public and private hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Participants included patients receiving knee arthroscopies with a diagnosis code indicating osteoarthritis (OA) from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. Records were excluded if the patient was under 25 years or their arthroscopy involved a ligament reconstruction. Crude rates per 100 000 population and negative binomial regression offset by total knee arthroscopy volume were used to analyse differences by region. RESULTS: There were 9620 arthroscopic procedures meeting the inclusion criteria. There were 5500 (57.2%) admissions where the principal diagnosis was knee OA (gonarthrosis) and 3510 (36.5%) where the principal diagnosis indicated a mechanical derangement and there was a primary or associated diagnosis of OA. When we examined the incidence rate ratios (IRR) by region, after adjustment for relevant factors and accounting for the total knee arthroscopy volume within each region, we identified significant variation in knee arthroscopy rates for patients with OA. The region with the highest adjusted IRR was Barwon South Western (IRR: 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-1.36) and the region with lowest adjusted incidence rate ratio was the Gippsland region (IRR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: We identified considerable geographical variation in arthroscopies for people with OA across Victoria. Further investigation is needed to understand whether this variation is a reflection of differences in OA prevalence, clinical decision-making or access.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system: experience of a Victorian tertiary-referral hospital.

BACKGROUND: Primary angiitis of the central nervous system is a rare condition, which is often difficult to diagnose and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is no standardised treatment protocol or randomised clinical trial evidence to guide management. AIM: To describe the clinical features, diagnostic modalities, treatment and outcomes in an Australian hospital population-based series of primary cerebral angiitis. METHODS: Data were collected via retrospective medical record review of patients with primary angiitis of the central nervous system for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2009, using previously published diagnostic criteria. Eligible patient records were identified in two ways; from routinely collected hospital episode data, coded using the ICD-10-AM coding standard and by review of cerebral biopsy data. RESULTS: Ten of 12 included patients had a positive cerebral biopsy, with two patients diagnosed by angiography. Mean age at diagnosis was 47.2 years (range 18-73 years), with a female predominance of 5:1. Headache was the most common symptom experienced. Seventy per cent of the biopsy specimens showed a lymphocytic vasculitis. All patients received treatment with either steroids alone or a combination of steroids and cyclophosphamide, the latter treatment being initiated for those with a higher modified Rankin score of disability. Nine (75%) responded to treatment. There was one in-hospital death, and two patients had no documented response to treatment. CONCLUSION: This study presents the first Australian case series data of primary cerebral angiitis. Better understanding of management and outcomes of this rare condition would be gained through multicentre studies.

Negotiating hope with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a qualitative study of patients and healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: The information needs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) towards the end of life are poorly understood. AIM: This study explored the views of patients with COPD and healthcare professionals, focusing upon information needs and treatment preferences. METHOD: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were held with patients with COPD following admission to hospital with respiratory failure, and focus groups held with healthcare professionals from hospital and community settings. RESULTS: Ten patients were interviewed, who had a median 4 previous hospital admissions, and had smoked for median 47 years. Five focus groups were held with 31 healthcare professionals (18 nurses, 7 doctors, 6 allied health). The theme underpinning all discussions was of tension between maintaining hope and negotiating the reality of the illness and its consequences. Within this theme, patients tended to be optimistic, viewed acute exacerbations as separate from their underlying chronic illness, and were keen for intensive treatments, including intubation if acutely unwell. They had little understanding of the complexities of decision-making around treatment escalation. Both patients and health workers believed that information around end of life should be offered routinely, but delivered in a manner that recognises and maintains a form of hope. CONCLUSION: Patients and healthcare professionals believe information around illness course, future goals and treatment is important to care. An expanded view of hope may assist when providing such information, including when discussing goals of care in the setting of advanced illness.

Palliative care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: exploring the landscape.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experience a substantial symptom burden, high levels of psychosocial need and significant mortality. This epidemiological study reveals that the majority of patients are cared for in the public hospital system (64%) and generally die in hospital (72%) with a number of identifiable predictors of 6-month mortality. Our results suggest that palliative care services need to be redirected from a community-based admission focus to a model that is responsive to emergency and acute care hospital systems.