scholarly journals Clinical features of gastroenteritis during a large waterborne Campylobacter outbreak in Askøy, Norway

Infection ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Erik Emberland ◽  
K.-A. Wensaas ◽  
S. Litleskare ◽  
A. Iversen ◽  
K. Hanevik ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Outbreaks of Campylobacter infection are common, but studies exploring the clinical features of acute illness in the outbreak setting are scarce in existing literature. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical features of self-reported acute illness in gastroenteritis cases during a large waterborne Campylobacter outbreak in Askøy municipality, Norway, in 2019. Methods A web-based self-administered questionnaire, and invitation to participate was sent by the municipality of Askøy as text message to mobile phones using the municipality’s warning system to the inhabitants during the ongoing outbreak. Results Out of 3624 participants, 749 (20.7%) were defined as cases, of which 177 (23.6%) reported severe gastroenteritis. The most common symptoms were loose stools (90.7%), abdominal pain (89.3%) and diarrhea (88.9%), whereas 63.8% reported fever, 50.2% joint pain and 14.2% bloody stools. Tiredness, a symptom non-specific to gastroenteritis, was the overall most common symptom (91.2%). Conclusion About one in four of the cases reported symptoms consistent with severe gastroenteritis. We found more joint pain and less bloody stools than reported in published studies of laboratory confirmed campylobacteriosis cases. Tiredness was common in the current study, although rarely described in previous literature of acute illness in the outbreak setting.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109
Author(s):  
Nadine Saad ◽  
Karen Onel

Joint pain is a common symptom in children and adolescents. While there are many causes of joint pain in children, most of these are acute or not related to underlying joint inflammation. Chronic arthritis, however, can be one of the reasons behind the joint pain. The most common causes of chronic arthritis in children are categorized under juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The purpose of this review is to highlight the most important clinical features, work-up, and medical management of the different subtypes of JIA.


Author(s):  
Sherien Farag ◽  
Shady S. Georgy ◽  
Mai Fathy ◽  
Ahmed elSadek ◽  
Khaled O. Abdulghani

Abstract Background Dysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases. Guidelines recommend gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to nasogastric tube insertion. Methods Neurology consultants only were included and completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning their practice backgrounds and previous experience with PEG feeding during their practice. Results Ninety-eight percent stated that they would recommend PEG for patients with prolonged need of nasogastric feeding. However, only 88% actually referred patients to perform PEG, with the cerebrovascular disorders being the most common cases to be referred. The main barriers the surveyed neurologists faced were family resistance and financial reasons (53.5%). Interestingly, younger neurologists practicing for less than 15 years referred patient to perform PEG significantly more frequent than older ones (p = 0.01). About 18% of our sample confirmed the lack of sufficient knowledge about the benefits of PEG feeding, and only 22% previously attended scientific sessions about the benefits and indications of PEG. Conclusion Based on our study, we recommend that PEG should be more encouraged in indicated neurological cases. Scientific sessions targeting neurologists and public awareness about the benefits of PEG and its relatively infrequent complications are highly demanded.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562199530
Author(s):  
İlkem Kara ◽  
Aydan Baştuğ Dumbak ◽  
Maviş Emel Kulak Kayıkcı

Introduction: Factors such as teachers’ appropriate support and social interactions have an impact on the academic performance of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). This study was designed to investigate the perceptions of the teachers and the general public about the academic and cognitive performance of individuals with CL/P. Methods: This study was included 360 (male/female = 102/258) teachers and 640 (male/female = 259/381) participants that represent the general public. Anonymized web-based and paper-and-pencil self-administered questionnaire that included multiple-choice and yes/no questions were administered. Within-group differences and intergroup differences were analyzed in terms of academic and cognitive performance. Results: Most of the teachers and the general public indicated that the academic and cognitive performance of individuals with CL/P is the same as their unaffected peers. A significantly higher proportion of the teachers indicated that the academic performance of children with CL/P is the same as their unaffected peers than the general public. Conclusion: Considering that the general public’s attitudes and appropriate teacher support are crucial to prevent adverse impacts on the lives of individuals with CL/P, it is important to support teachers with the appropriate information and to encourage the public to recognize that everybody with a facial difference should be treated as an individual rather than a disability.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Al-Dahshan ◽  
Mohamad Chehab ◽  
Nagah Selim

Abstract Background: Although the internet can be a source of reassurance and clarification for expectant women, it ‎could cause concerns or feelings of worry when reading about pregnancy-related ‎information. The current research sought to assess the feelings of worry and perceived reliability towards online pregnancy-related information and the associated factors among expectant women attending antenatal clinics at primary healthcare centers in Qatar.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. The participants were recruited through a systematic random sampling technique. ‎A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used when appropriate‎.Results: A total of 327 expecting women completed the questionnaire. Most participants were aged between 26-34 years (74.1%), held a college/university degree (76.4%), and multigravidas (73.1%). About one-third of the women ‎(31.2‎%) reported feeling worried due to something they read online. The participants coped with these feelings by consulting their antenatal care provider at the next appointment (51.0%) or by talking with relatives and friends (47.0%). Furthermore, most women (79.2%) considered online pregnancy-related information to be reliable or highly reliable. Holding a college/university degree, primigravidae, and having no children were factors significantly associated with a high perception of reliability of online health information.Conclusion: Although online pregnancy information caused feelings of worry for some pregnant ‎women, most women perceived such information to be reliable. Thus, antenatal care providers should be equipped to guide pregnant women on how to access high-quality web-based information.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4;23 (7;4) ◽  
pp. E335-E342
Author(s):  
Jason Friedrich

Background: More patients with cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs) are presenting to spine and pain practices for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures for chronic pain. Although the potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI) affecting CIED function is known with RFA procedures, available guidelines do not specifically address CIED management for percutaneous RFA for zygapophyseal (z-joint) joint pain, and thus physician practice may vary. Objectives: To better understand current practices of physicians who perform RFA for chronic z-joint pain with respect to management of CIEDs. Perioperative CIED management guidelines are also reviewed to specifically address risk mitigation strategies for potential EMI created by ambulatory percutaneous spine RFA procedures. Study Design: Web-based provider survey and narrative review. Setting: Multispecialty pain clinic, academic medical center. Methods: A web-based survey was created using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). A survey link was provided via e-mail to active members of the Spine Intervention Society (SIS), American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, as well as distributed freely to community Pain Physicians and any receptive academic departments of PM&R or Anesthesiology. The narrative review summarizes pertinent case series, review articles, a SIS recommendation statement, and multi-specialty peri-operative guidelines as they relate specifically to spine RFA procedures. Results: A total of 197 clinicians participated in the survey from diverse clinical backgrounds, including anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, radiology, neurosurgery, and neurology, with 81% reporting fellowship training. Survey responses indicate wide variability in provider management of CIEDs before, during, and after RFA for z-joint pain. Respondents indicated they would like more specific guidelines to aid in management and decision-making around CIEDs and spine RFA procedures. Literature review yielded several practice guidelines related to perioperative management of CIEDs, but no specific guideline for percutaneous spine RFA procedures. However, combining the risk mitigation strategies provided in these guidelines, with interventional pain physician clinical experience allows for reasonable management recommendations to aid in decision-making. Limitations: Although this manuscript can serve as a review of CIEDs and aid in management decisions in patients with CIEDs, it is not a clinical practice guideline. Conclusions: Practice patterns vary regarding CIED management in ambulatory spine RFA procedures. CIED presence is not a contraindication for spine RFA but does increase the complexity of a spine RFA procedure and necessitates some added precautions. Key words: Radiofrequency ablation, neurotomy, cardiac implantable electrical device, zygapophyseal joint, spondylosis, neck pain, low back pain, chronic pain


2021 ◽  
pp. 42-43
Author(s):  
Rohan J Desai ◽  
Prasad Ugargol

Background: Amitraz is a pharmaceutical, veterinary, and agricultural product which is used worldwide to control ectoparasites in animals. Its widespread use has led to increased cases of poisoning in rural parts of India. Aim: To study the clinical features, complications, laboratory abnormalities and outcome of the patients with acute amitraz intoxication. Methodology: The study is a retrospective case series study conducted in HSK hospital between the period of Feb 2019 and May 2020. Results: A total of 11 patients were analysed and results revealed CNS depression and vomiting in 8 of those patients with 1 patient with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Amitraz poisoning appears to be severe with CNS depression being the most common symptom. But most patients stabilise and recover quickly. Patients should be monitored for respiratory failure as it is a dreadful complication. Treatment is symptomatic as no antidote is available.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurab Sagar Dawadi

<p>The Early Warning System (EWS)  is recognized as a crucial mechanism for disaster risk reduction. Despite advances in technologies, the biggest shortcoming of EWS is that risk information is still failing to reach the people at risk in developing countries like Nepal and India. This presentation is based on the qualitative analysis of 90 interviews conducted for my Ph.D. thesis, in the Kosi River basin, across the Nepal-India border. Annually the Kosi River and its tributaries cause widespread flooding and inundation in Nepal and India. Recently, significant advancements have occurred in the sector of risk communication for Flood-EWS in Nepal and India. Government institutions use mobile text messages, web-based Apps, flood bulletins, and other measures to inform people about the flood. Despite the efforts, significant challenges were observed in the information outreach, especially to the women and vulnerable people living in the study area. Challenges were also identified in understanding the received text messages by flood vulnerable people, and spatially relating the information about river depth for their evacuation decision.  Recommendations were made for inclusive and people-centered EWS based on Impact based forecasting as well as on awareness-raising activities through mobile applications.</p>


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3334
Author(s):  
Megan E. Rollo ◽  
Rebecca L. Haslam ◽  
Clare E. Collins

Advances in web and mobile technologies have created efficiencies relating to collection, analysis and interpretation of dietary intake data. This study compared the impact of two levels of nutrition support: (1) low personalization, comprising a web-based personalized nutrition feedback report generated using the Australian Eating Survey® (AES) food frequency questionnaire data; and (2) high personalization, involving structured video calls with a dietitian using the AES report plus dietary self-monitoring with text message feedback. Intake was measured at baseline and 12 weeks using the AES and diet quality using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Fifty participants (aged 39.2 ± 12.5 years; Body Mass Index 26.4 ± 6.0 kg/m2; 86.0% female) completed baseline measures. Significant (p < 0.05) between-group differences in dietary changes favored the high personalization group for total ARFS (5.6 points (95% CI 1.3 to 10.0)) and ARFS sub-scales of meat (0.9 points (0.4 to 1.6)), vegetarian alternatives (0.8 points (0.1 to 1.4)), and dairy (1.3 points (0.3 to 2.3)). Additional significant changes in favor of the high personalization group occurred for proportion of energy intake derived from energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (−7.2% (−13.8% to −0.5%)) and takeaway foods sub-group (−3.4% (−6.5% to 0.3%). Significant within-group changes were observed for 12 dietary variables in the high personalization group vs. one variable for low personalization. A higher level of personalized support combining the AES report with one-on-one dietitian video calls and dietary self-monitoring resulted in greater dietary change compared to the AES report alone. These findings suggest nutrition-related web and mobile technologies in combination with personalized dietitian delivered advice have a greater impact compared to when used alone.


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