Holbrookeason1990
Our results show that CCTs can improve adult mental health for the poor living in low-income countries, particularly those with the worst mental health.
Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) is an important chronic complication of Schistosoma infection. However, its diagnosis and management are complicated due to lack of evidence and uniform guidance. In this study, we described the clinical profile and management of HSS in one of Ethiopia's referral hospitals.
A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the medical records of patients diagnosed with HSS based on clinical symptoms and typical ultrasound findings observed at the gastroenterology clinic of Dessie referral hospital from September 2018 to December 2019.
A total of 55 patient files were evaluated. Most patients (n=39; 70%) presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and severe anaemia. Nearly three-quarters of patients were admitted and 31 (56%) received a blood transfusion. Hepatitis B coinfection was documented in 11 patients (20%). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 31 patients (56%), in whom large oesophageal varices with red signs were the most common finding. Among patients who had endoscopy, band ligation was carried out in 21 cases (68%). Praziquantel was administered to 11 patients (20%).
HSS causes severe complications of portal hypertension, like variceal bleeding, which are currently not adequately treated. In addition to already existing preventive efforts, we advise control programmes to also address acute management and rehabilitation of these patients.
HSS causes severe complications of portal hypertension, like variceal bleeding, which are currently not adequately treated. In addition to already existing preventive efforts, we advise control programmes to also address acute management and rehabilitation of these patients.Postcardiotomy shock is a complication after open-heart surgery that may be alleviated with extracorporeal life support (ECLS). Postcardiotomy shock patients on ECLS with prosthetic valves are at a high risk of valve thrombosis. We retrospectively reviewed patients supported with ECLS after the development of postcardiotomy shock at our centre, 90 of which had prosthetic valves. Nine patients developed prosthetic valve thrombosis, an incidence of 10%. Patients who developed prosthetic valve thrombosis were more often supported via central cannulation (78% vs 38%, P = 0.034) and had a higher median initial flow (4.4 vs 3.2 l/min, P = 0.018). Central cannulation was associated with valve thrombosis by multivariable logistic regression (odds ratio 7.56; 95% confidence interval 1.12-149.87). Central cannulation with high flow is thought to reduce intracardiac blood flow, thereby increasing the risk of stasis and thrombus formation. Patients with prosthetic valve thrombosis were treated with anticoagulation or surgical intervention and 4 patients (44%) survived to discharge.Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV in Nigeria. A key strategy in reducing transmission is to increase HIV testing uptake and linkage to treatment for those who test positive. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is an innovative strategy with the potential to increase uptake of HIV testing among key populations at higher risk for HIV. We conducted 23 in-depth-interviews with MSM and two focus group discussions with key opinion leaders to explore perceptions about the feasibility and acceptability of oral HIVST among MSM in Lagos, Nigeria. HIVST was highly acceptable because it was considered convenient to use, painless, private and addressed concerns about stigma. Concerns cited by participants included comprehensibility of instructions to perform and interpret results correctly, as well as lack of support mechanisms to facilitate post-test follow-up and linkage to care. Provision of adequate pre-test information was considered vital as part of the kit distribution process to ensure seamless use of HIVST kits. One-on-one peer-to-peer distribution strategies and retail outlets that facilitate anonymous pick-up are potential distribution channels identified in this study. selleck Overall, our findings suggest that an HIVST program that incorporates these considerations would improve access to HIV testing among MSM in Nigeria.
Fluid restriction (FR) is the recommended first-line treatment for syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD), despite the lack of prospective data to support its efficacy.
A prospective nonblinded randomized controlled trial of FR versus no treatment in chronic SIAD.
A total of 46 patients with chronic asymptomatic SIAD were randomized to either FR (1 liter/day) or no specific hyponatremia treatment (NoTx) for 1 month. The primary endpoints were change in plasma sodium concentration (pNa) at days 4 and 30.
Median baseline pNa was similar in the 2 groups [127 mmol/L (interquartile range [IQR] 126-129) FR and 128 mmol/L (IQR 126-129) NoTx, P = 0.36]. PNa rose by 3 mmol/L (IQR 2-4) after 3 days FR, compared with 1 mmol/L (IQR 0-3) NoTx, P = 0.005. There was minimal additional rise in pNa by day 30; median pNa increased from baseline by 4 mmol/L (IQR 2-6) in FR, compared with 1 mmol/L (IQR 0-1) NoTx, P = 0.04. After 3 days, 17% of FR had a rise in pNa of ≥5 mmol/L, compared with 4% NoTx, RR 4.0 (95% CI 0.66-25.69), P = 0.35. After 3 days, 61% of FR corrected pNa to ≥130 mmol/L, compared with 39% of NoTx, RR 1.56 (95% CI 0.87-2.94), P = 0.24.
FR induces a modest early rise in pNa in patients with chronic SIAD, with minimal additional rise thereafter, and it is well-tolerated. More than one-third of patients fail to reach a pNa ≥130 mmol/L after 3 days of FR, emphasizing the clinical need for additional therapies for SIAD in some patients.
FR induces a modest early rise in pNa in patients with chronic SIAD, with minimal additional rise thereafter, and it is well-tolerated. More than one-third of patients fail to reach a pNa ≥130 mmol/L after 3 days of FR, emphasizing the clinical need for additional therapies for SIAD in some patients.
The underlying relationship between body mass index (BMI), cardiometabolic disorders, and subclinical atherosclerosis is poorly understood.
To evaluate the association between body size phenotypes and subclinical atherosclerosis.
Cross-sectional.
Cardiovascular disease-free cohort.
Middle-aged asymptomatic subjects (n = 3909). A total of 6 cardiometabolic body size phenotypes were defined based on the presence of at least 1 cardiometabolic abnormality (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and based on BMI normal-weight (NW; BMI <25), overweight (OW; BMI = 25.0-29.9) or obese (OB; BMI >30.0).
Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated by 2D vascular ultrasonography and noncontrast cardiac computed tomography.
For metabolically healthy subjects, the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis increased across BMI categories (49.6%, 58.0%, and 67.7% risk by facilitating the transition from one phenotype to another.
The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis varies across body size phenotypes. Pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions might modify their cardiovascular risk by facilitating the transition from one phenotype to another.
In the era of organ shortage, home hemodialysis (HHD) has been identified as the possible preferential bridge to kidney transplantation. Data are conflicting regarding the comparability of HHD and transplantation outcomes. link2 This study aimed to compare patient and treatment survival between HHD patients and kidney transplant recipients.
The Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry was used to include incident HHD patients on Day 90 after initiation of kidney replacement therapy and first kidney-only transplant recipients in Australia and New Zealand from 1997 to 2017. link3 Survival times were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method comparing HHD patients with subtypes of kidney transplant recipients using the log-rank test. Adjusted analyses were performed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models for time to all-cause mortality. Time-to-treatment failure or death was assessed as a composite secondary outcome.
The study compared 1411 HHD patients with 4960 living donor (LD) recipients, 6019 standard criteria donor (SCD) recipients and 2427 expanded criteria donor (ECD) recipients. While LD and SCD recipients had reduced risks of mortality compared with HHD patients [LD adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46-0.71; SCD HR = 0.65 95% CI 0.52-0.79], the risk of mortality was comparable between ECD recipients and HHD patients (HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.73-1.12). LD, SCD and ECD kidney recipients each experienced superior time-to-treatment failure or death compared with HHD patients.
This large registry study showed that kidney transplant offers a survival benefit compared with HHD but that this advantage is not significant for ECD recipients.
This large registry study showed that kidney transplant offers a survival benefit compared with HHD but that this advantage is not significant for ECD recipients.
The present study evaluated the results of the modified réparation à l'étage ventriculaire (REV) based on the individual anatomical and pathological findings of the patients with an anomalous ventriculo-arterial connection with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
We reviewed a series of 24 patients who underwent modified REV between 2005 and 2019. Surgical indications included ventricles and atrioventricular valves suitable for biventricular repair, severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (peak gradient >30 mmHg), unrestrictive subaortic VSD and coronary arteries not suitable for reimplantation.
The mean follow-up time was 7.0 ± 4.2 years (range 0.5-14.1 years). Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that overall survival was 100% and freedom from any reoperation was 93.3% ± 6.4%. Longitudinal analyses of the available postoperative echocardiographic data showed that the left ventricular outflow tract peak gradient was less than 10 mmHg in all patients (15/he patient. The modified REV had excellent long-term survival and freedom from reoperation for the treatment of anomalous ventriculo-arterial connection with VSD and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The long-term performance of the reconstructed left ventricular outflow tract and right ventricular outflow tract is satisfactory.Georgia experiences higher human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer burden and lower HPV vaccine uptake compared with national estimates. Using the P3 model that concomitantly assesses practice-, provider- and patient-level factors influencing health behaviors, we examined facilitators of and barriers to HPV vaccine promotion and uptake in Georgia. In 2018, we conducted six focus groups with 55 providers. Questions focused on multilevel facilitators of and barriers to HPV vaccine promotion and uptake. Our analysis was guided by the P3 model and a deductive coding approach. We found that practice-level influences included organizational priorities of vaccinations, appointment scheduling, immunization registries/records, vaccine availability and coordination with community resources. Provider-level influences included time constraints, role, vaccine knowledge, self-efficacy to discuss HPV vaccine and vaccine confidence. Patient-level influences included trust, experiences with vaccine-preventable diseases, perceived high costs, perceived side effects and concerns with sexual activity.