Laboratory tests to identify patients at risk of early major adverse events: a prospective pilot study

ObjectivesTo describe the acceptability, safety and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in infants and young children with neurological impairment (NI) who have severe dysphagia.DesignA prospective pilot study using a before and after study design.SettingThe Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.PatientsTen infants and young children (0–24 months) with NI and severe dysphagia on videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) who were referred to an occupational therapist (OT). Those with neurodegenerative conditions were excluded.InterventionNMES treatments lasting 20–45 min twice weekly for the duration of 2–4 months. The NMES was administered during feeding therapy sessions by a trained OT.Main outcome measuresImprovement in swallowing function as measured by VFSS and the need for tube feeding, adverse events and parental acceptability.ResultsSeven of 10 enrolled subjects (median age, 8.9 months) completed biweekly NMES treatments (median number of treatments per subject, 18). All of the seven (100%) subjects who completed treatment showed an improvement in swallow function on VFSS. Of the five patients who were not safe to orally feed on any consistency of liquid or puree at baseline, three established full oral feeding and two established partial oral feeding. At baseline, 5/7 children were completely fed by tube versus 0/7 at the end of treatment. No adverse events occurred other than mild skin irritation at the site of electrode placement. Five of seven caregivers felt that feeding was improved and were satisfied with the intervention.ConclusionsOur prospective pilot study of NMES in seven neurologically impaired infants and young children with severe dysphagia suggests that NMES is safe, acceptable to parents and has potential efficacy. Trials are needed to determine if any treatment benefit exists.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01723358.

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Psychoeducation with patients at-risk for schizophrenia—An exploratory pilot study

Patient Education and Counseling ◽

10.1016/j.pec.2008.11.003 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 138-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Marta Hauser ◽

Marion Lautenschlager ◽

Yehonala Gudlowski ◽

Seza Özgürdal ◽

Henning Witthaus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Patients At Risk

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Data mining of common laboratory tests can be used to identify patients at risk

Pathology ◽

10.1097/01.pat.0000443437.52443.1a ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. S13

Author(s):

Rinaldo Bellomo

Keyword(s):

Data Mining ◽

At Risk ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Common Laboratory

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Periodontal Disease, Inflammatory Cytokines, and PGE2 in Pregnant Patients at Risk of Preterm Delivery: A Pilot Study

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1155/2018/7027683 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Catalina Latorre Uriza ◽

Juliana Velosa-Porras ◽

Nelly S. Roa ◽

Stephani Margarita Quiñones Lara ◽

Jaime Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Pilot Study ◽

High Risk ◽

Periodontal Disease ◽

Preterm Delivery ◽

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Low Risk ◽

Prostaglandin E ◽

Patients At Risk

Periodontal disease is an infection that, in pregnant women, can act as a risk factor for preterm delivery by increasing local and systemic inflammatory responses. Objective. To analyze the presence of periodontal disease, proinflammatory cytokines, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in pregnant patients at high risk for preterm delivery. Materials and Methods. Pilot study for a case-control study. We included 46 pregnant patients (23 patients at risk of preterm delivery as cases and 23 patients without risk of preterm delivery as controls). We excluded patients who received periodontal treatment, antibiotics, or antimicrobials over the last 3 months as well as those with infections or diseases such as diabetes or hypercholesterolemia. The patients underwent a periodontal assessment, and their levels of cytokines (interleukin- [IL-] 2, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor- [TNF-] α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were quantified. Results. Patients with periodontal disease showed higher levels of cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) and PGE2. Patients at high risk for preterm birth showed higher IL levels compared with patients at low risk for preterm delivery. PGE2 increased with the severity of periodontal disease. PGE2 was higher in patients at low risk for preterm delivery, although this difference was not significant. Conclusion. Periodontal disease can increase the systemic inflammatory response as well as the levels of PGE2 and inflammatory cytokines in pregnant patients.

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