Weaning Strategy of Diuretics in Outpatient Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A National Survey

Author(s):  
Keren Armoni Domany ◽  
Israel Amirav ◽  
Efraim Sadot ◽  
Nir Diamant ◽  
Dror Mandel ◽  
...  

Objective Long-term diuretic treatment in patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is common despite lack of data that support its use. We aimed to characterize the commonly used diuretics weaning strategies for outpatient clinically stable preterm infants with BPD. Study Design We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey among all pediatric pulmonologists and neonatologists in Israel. Questionnaire included data regarding practitioners' different diuretics-weaning practice in this population. Results The response rate for pulmonologists and neonatologists were 35/50 (70%) and 36/120 (30%), respectively. When both oxygen and diuretics are used, 59% wean oxygen first and 32% wean diuretics first. If patients are solely on diuretics, 27% discontinue instantly, 34% decrease the dosage gradually, and 34% outgrow the discharge dosage. Significantly more pulmonologists decrease the dosage gradually, while more neonatologists discontinue at once (p < 0.001). Most participants (94%) reported being unsatisfied with the existing data and guidelines regarding these issues. Conclusion Our results showed a wide range of practice patterns in the weaning strategy of diuretics in outpatient preterm infants with BPD. Pulmonologists and neonatologists differ significantly in their weaning strategy. A prospective larger controlled study to explore the outcome of gradual tapering versus discontinuation without weaning is warranted. Key Points

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (S1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Durk Wiersma ◽  
Fokko J. Nienhuis ◽  
Cees J. Slooff ◽  
Robert Giel ◽  
Aant De Jong

Severe and long term mental disorders, like schizophrenia, show in general a wide range of psychiatric signs and symptoms, psychological and physiological impairments and social disablement (Shepherd, 1994; Wing, 1982) reflecting a variety of mental health needs. Many studies provide only a cross-sectional view of the clinical and social problems of the patient population, for example at intake or admission to a mental hospital. Longitudinal studies following patients after discharge for some period of months or years show in general the expected improvement of functioning (e.g. Nienhuis et al., 1994), but as far as only chronic patients are concerned such a positive change is much less noted. The concept of chronicity of mental disorders would presume that after some time needs are fairly predictable and stable and do not change much over time. Our investigation on the long-term course of schizophrenia (Wiersma et al., 1996; 1997) enables us to study over a period of two years, from 15 to 17 years since first onset of psychosis, the stability or variability of needs in schizophrenic disorder. We are not aware of empirical studies on changes in needs among patients with long-term disorders.


Author(s):  
Teresa D. Hawkes ◽  
Wayne Manselle ◽  
Marjorie H. Woollacott

Abstract: We report the first controlled study of Tai Chi effects on the P300 event-related potential, a neuroelectric index of human executive function. Tai Chi is a form of exercise and moving meditation. Exercise and meditation have been associated with enhanced executive function. This cross-sectional, controlled study utilized the P300 event-related potential (ERP) to compare executive network neural function between self-selected long-term Tai Chi, meditation, aerobic fitness, and sedentary groups. We hypothesized that because Tai Chi requires moderate aerobic and mental exertion, this group would show similar or better executive neural function compared to meditation and aerobic exercise groups. We predicted all health training groups would outperform sedentary controls.: Fifty-four volunteers (Tai Chi, n=10; meditation, n=16; aerobic exercise, n=16; sedentary, n=12) were tested with the Rockport 1-mile walk (estimated VO: Only Tai Chi and meditation plus exercise groups demonstrated larger P3b ERP switch trial amplitudes compared to sedentary controls.: Our results suggest long-term Tai Chi practice, and meditation plus exercise may benefit the neural substrates of executive function.


2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica R.L. Lieffers ◽  
Vivienne A. Vance ◽  
Rhona M. Hanning

Purpose A cross-sectional web-based survey of dietitians was used to explore topics related to mobile devices and their applications (apps) in Canadian dietetic practice. Methods A survey was drafted, posted on SurveyMonkey, and pretested with dietitians and dietetic interns. Dietitians of Canada (DC), a supporter of this work, promoted the survey to members through its monthly electronic newsletters from January 2012 to April 2012. Results Of 139 dietitians who answered some survey questions, 118 finished the survey; this represents a response rate of approximately 3%. Overall, 57.3% of respondents reported app use in practice, and 54.2% had a client ask about or use a nutrition/food app. About 40.5% of respondents had recommended nutrition/food apps to clients. Respondents were enthusiastic about apps, but many described challenges with use. From the survey data, three themes emerged that can affect dietitians’ use of apps and whether they recommend apps to clients: mobile device and app factors (access to information/ tools, content quality, usability, accessibility/compatibility, and cost), personal factors (knowledge, interest, suitability, and willingness/ability to pay), and workplace factors. Conclusions Apps are now infiltrating dietetic practice. Several factors can affect dietitians’ use of apps and whether they recommend them to clients. These findings will help guide future development and use of apps in practice.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Couture ◽  
Antonio Finelli ◽  
Amélie Tétu ◽  
Bimal Bhindi ◽  
Rodney H. Breault ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bosniak III and IV cysts have a high risk of malignancy and have traditionally been managed surgically. However, growing evidence suggests that many can be managed by active surveillance. The main objective of this study was to characterize the use of surveillance in the management of complex renal cysts. Methods A web-based survey was sent to all registered, active members of the Canadian Urological Association (N=583) in October 2018. Results The survey response rate was 24.7%. Management of Bosniak III cysts varied considerably. A large proportion of respondents (33.1%) offered active surveillance in >50% of cases. Only 13.7% of respondents reported never or rarely (<5% of cases) offering surveillance. In contrast, for Bosniak IV cysts, 60.1% of urologists never or rarely offered surveillance, while only 10.1% offer it in >50% of cases. A significantly greater proportion of academic urologists, compared to non-academic urologists, viewed surveillance as a management option for patients with a Bosniak III or IV cyst. The most commonly reported barriers to a greater adoption of surveillance were concerns regarding its oncologic safety, the lack of data to support surveillance in this population, and the lack of triggers for discontinuation of active surveillance and intervention. Conclusions Despite active surveillance being included as a management option in guidelines, many Canadian urologists are reluctant to offer surveillance to patients with Bosniak III or IV cysts. Practice patterns are heterogeneous among those offering surveillance. High-quality studies are required to better define the benefits and risks of cystic renal mass surveillance.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Yu-Hin Siu ◽  
Lorand Kristof ◽  
Dawn Elston ◽  
Abe Hafid ◽  
Fred Mather

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant public health emergency that impacts all sectors of healthcare. The negative health outcomes for the COVID-19 infection have been most severe in the frail elderly dwelling in Canadian long-term care (LTC) homes.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of Ontario LTC Clinicians working in LTC homes in Ontario Canada was conducted to provide the LTC clinician perspective on the preparedness and engagement of the LTC sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey questionnaire was developed in collaboration with the Ontario Long-Term Care Clinicians organization (OLTCC) and was distributed between March 30, 2020 to May 25, 2020. All registered members of the OLTCC and Nurse-led LTC Outreach Teams were invited to participate. The primary outcomes were: 1) the descriptive report of the screening measures implemented, communication and information received, and the preparation of the respondent’s LTC home to a potential COVID-19 outbreak; and 2) the level of agreement, as reported using a five-point Likert scale), to COVID-19 preparedness statements for the respondent’s LTC home was also assessed.Results: The overall response rate was 54% (160/294). LTC homes implemented a wide range of important interventions (e.g. instituting established respiratory isolation protocols, active screening of new LTC admissions, increasing education on infection control processes, encouraging sick staff to take time off, etc). Ample communications pertinent to the pandemic were received from provincial LTC organizations, the government and public health officials. However, the feasibility of implementing public health recommendations, as well as the engagement of the LTC sector in pandemic planning were identified as areas of concern. Medical director status was associated with an increased knowledge of local implementation of interventions to mitigate COVID-19, as well as endorsing increased access to reliable COVID-19 information and resources to manage a potential COVID-19 outbreak in their LTC home.Conclusions: This study highlights the communication to and implementation of recommendations in the Ontario LTC sector, despite some concerns regarding feasibility. Importantly, LTC clinician respondents clearly indicated that better engagement with LTC leaders is needed to plan a coordinated pandemic response.


Author(s):  
Kyle N. Kunze ◽  
Aidan Haddad ◽  
Alexander E. White ◽  
Matthew R. Cohn ◽  
Robert F. LaPrade ◽  
...  

AbstractInjuries to the menisci of the knee are common in orthopedic sports medicine. Bibliometric studies can identify the core literature on a topic and help further our collective knowledge for both clinical and educational purposes. The purpose of the current study was to (1) identify and describe the 50 most cited articles in meniscus research over an 80-year time period to capture a wide range of influential articles and (2) identify the “citation classics” and milestone articles related to the meniscus of the knee. The Science Citation Index Expanded subsection of the Web of Science Core Collection was systematically searched for the 50 most cited meniscus articles. Data pertaining to bibliometric and publication characteristics were extracted and reported using descriptive statistics. The top 50 articles were published between the years 1941 and 2014 and collectively cited 13,152 times. The median (interquartile [IQR]) number of total citations per article was 203.5 (167.0–261.8), while the median citation rate was 9.6 (7.4–13.9) citations per year. The most cited article was “Knee joint changes after meniscectomy,” published in 1948. The article with the highest citation rate of 78.4 citations per year was “The long-term consequence of anterior cruciate ligaments and meniscus injuries – osteoarthritis,” published in 2007. The majority of articles were clinical outcome studies (n = 28, 56%). The top 50 most cited meniscus articles represent a compilation of highly influential articles which may augment reading curriculums and provide a strong knowledge base for orthopaedic surgery residents and fellows. The decade with the most articles was the 2000s, representing a recent acceleration in meniscus-based research. This is a level IV, cross-sectional study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaise Gnimassoun

Regional integration in Africa is a subject of great interest, but its impact on income has not been studied sufficiently. Using cross-sectional and panel estimations, this article examines the impact of African integration on real per capita income in Africa. Accordingly, we consider intra-African trade and migration flows as quantitative measures reflecting the intensity of regional integration. To address the endogeneity concerns, we use a gravity-based, two-stage least-squares strategy. Our results show that, from a long-term perspective, African integration has not been strong enough to generate a positive, significant, and robust impact on real per capita income in Africa. However, it does appear to be significantly income-enhancing in the short and medium terms but only through intercountry migration. These results are robust to a wide range of specifications.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-83
Author(s):  
Aira Aija Krūmiņa ◽  
Jelena Ļubenko

Abstract Web-based interventions (WBI) are purposefully developed online programs designed for wide range of users (clients, patients, health care specialists, as well as medical practitioners) which allow obtaining and using information on various issues related to health maintenance and improvement. On the basis of the analysis of scientific literature, the article provides an overview of WBI types and components, as well as a structural model of WBI and its user in the context of environment factors. The possibilities of using WBI for developing long-term health literacy of individuals are specified. By summarising the main advantages and limitations of using WBI, the possible suggestions for the WBI use and development are offered.


2019 ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
D.O. Dobryanskyy ◽  
◽  
A.O. Menshykova ◽  
O.P. Borysuk ◽  
◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Woodford ◽  
Anna Wikman ◽  
Kim Einhorn ◽  
Martin Cernvall ◽  
Helena Grönqvist ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Clinical trials are often challenged with issues of recruitment and retention. Little is known concerning general attitudes and preferences toward trial design and willingness to participate among parents of children treated for cancer. Furthermore, willingness to participate in internet-administered psychological interventions remains unexplored. In this study, we examined attitudes and preferences of the population regarding study procedures for a hypothetical trial of an internet-administered psychological intervention. In addition, differences in the response rate between modes of study invitation and willingness to engage in internet-administered interventions were examined. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to examine attitudes and preferences toward participating in an internet-administrated psychological intervention. The secondary objective was to examine the response rates and help-seeking behavior among parents of children treated for cancer. METHODS A cross-sectional, Web-based survey was conducted with parents of children who had completed cancer treatment. This Web-based survey examined self-reported emotional distress, prior help-seeking and receipt of psychological support, past research participation, attitudes toward research, preferences concerning recruitment procedures, and attitudes toward different types of trial design. RESULTS Of all the parents invited, 32.0% (112/350) completed the survey, with no difference in response rate between modes of study invitation (χ21=0.6, P=.45). The majority (80/112, 71.4%) of parents responded that they had experienced past emotional distress. Responses indicated high (56/112, 50.0%) or somewhat high trust in research (51/112, 45.5%), and the majority of parents would accept, or maybe accept, internet-administered psychological support if offered (83/112, 74.1%). In addition, responses showed a preference for postal study invitation letters (86/112, 76.8%), sent by a researcher (84/112, 75.0%) with additional study information provided on the Web via text (81/112, 72.3%) and video (66/112, 58.9%). Overall, parents responded that trials utilizing a waiting list control, active alternative treatment control, or a patient-preference design were acceptable. CONCLUSIONS Parents of children treated for cancer appear willing to participate in trials examining internet-administered psychological support. Findings of this study will inform the design of a feasibility trial examining internet-administered psychological support for the population.


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