scholarly journals The role of rehabilitation measures in reintegration of children with brain tumours or leukaemia and their families after completion of cancer treatment: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e014505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Leandra Peikert ◽  
Laura Inhestern ◽  
Corinna Bergelt

IntroductionFor ill children as well as for their parents and siblings, childhood cancer poses a major challenge. Little is known about the reintegration into daily life of childhood cancer survivors and their families. The aim of this prospective observational study is to further the understanding of the role of rehabilitation measures in the reintegration process of childhood leukaemia or brain tumour survivors and their family members after the end of cancer treatment.Methods and analysisThis prospective observational study consists of three study arms: a quantitative study in cooperation with three German paediatric oncological study registries (study arm 1), a quantitative study in cooperation with a rehabilitation clinic that offers a family-oriented paediatric oncological rehabilitation programme (study arm 2) and a qualitative study at 12-month follow-up including families from the study arms 1 and 2 (study arm 3). In study arm 1, children, parents and siblings are surveyed after treatment (baseline), 4–6 months after baseline measurement and at 12-month follow-up. In study arm 2, data are collected at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation measure and at 12-month follow-up. Families are assessed with standardised questionnaires on quality of life, emotional and behavioural symptoms, depression, anxiety, fear of progression, coping and family functioning. Furthermore, self-developed items on rehabilitation aims and reintegration into daily life are used. Where applicable, users and non-users of rehabilitation measures will be compared regarding the outcome parameters. Longitudinal data will be analysed by means of multivariate analysis strategies. Reference values will be used for comparisons if applicable. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the medical ethics committee of the Medical Chamber of Hamburg. Data will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

Author(s):  
V. Sneha Lekha ◽  
Neelima Priyadarshini ◽  
Siva Subba Rao Pakanati ◽  
K. Dilip Kumar

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Aim of the study was to determine most common mode of presentation, spectrum of fungi involved in otomycosis and to compare the treatment efficacy of 1% clotrimazole drops with 1% clotrimazole cream in management of otomycosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective observational study was conducted over a study period of 18 months, in which a total of 60 patients who are clinically diagnosed with otomycosis were included. All the specimens collected from patients were subjected to standard microbiological procedures for identification of fungi involved in otomycosis. Then patients were randomly allotted into 2 groups for treatment with 1% clotrimazole drops or with cream. Improvement in symptoms of pain, pruritis, blocked sensation, and discharge on one-and two-weeks follow-up was recorded. External auditory canal was evaluated for improvement in otomycotic debris. All patients were asked the opinion about preferred modality of treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our study, <em>Aspergillus niger</em> 27(45%) was the predominant species isolated. When compared to the symptoms on day 01 at day 07, significant difference was noted for the improvement of the symptoms and also for the otomycotic debris in both the groups. The group with cream had significantly more blocked sensation. On second week follow up, significant improvement was noted for all the symptoms and otomycotic debris. Forty five out of sixty patients preferred using cream.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In our study, <em>Aspergillus </em>species was found to be the commonest fungi involved in otomycosis. 1% topical clotrimazole drops and cream were equally effective in management of otomycosis.</p>


Cardiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aharon Erez ◽  
Gregory Golovchiner ◽  
Robert Klempfner ◽  
Ehud Kadmon ◽  
Gustavo Ruben Goldenberg ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk for stroke, dabigatran 150 mg twice a day (DE150) is superior to warfarin for stroke prevention. However, there is paucity of data with respect to bleeding risk at this dose in elderly patients (≥75 years). We aimed to evaluate the safety of DE150 in comparison to warfarin in a real-world population with AF and low bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score ≤2). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this prospective observational study, 754 consecutive patients with AF and HAS-BLED score ≤2 were included. We compared outcome of elderly patients (age ≥75 tears) to younger patients (age &#x3c;75 years). The primary end point was the combined incidence of all-cause mortality, stroke, systemic emboli, and major bleeding event during a mean follow-up of 1 year. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were 230 (30%) elderly patients, 151 patients were treated with warfarin, and 79 were treated with DE150. Fifty-two patients experienced the primary endpoint during the 1-year follow-up. Among the elderly, at 1-year of follow-up, the cumulative event rate of the combined endpoint in the DE150 and warfarin was 8.9 and 15.9% respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.14). After adjustment for age and gender, patients who were treated with DE150 had a nonsignificant difference in the risk for the combined end point as patients treated with warfarin both among the elderly and among the younger population (HR 0.58, 95% C.I = 0.25–1.39 and HR = 1.12, 95% C.I 0.62–2.00, respectively [<i>p</i> for age-group-by-treatment interaction = 0.83). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results suggest that Dabigatran 150 mg twice a day can be safely used among elderly AF patients with low bleeding risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Tyagi ◽  
Gerald Choon-Huat Koh ◽  
Nan Luo ◽  
Kelvin Bryan Tan ◽  
Helen Hoenig ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Outpatient medical follow-up post-stroke is not only crucial for secondary prevention but is also associated with a reduced risk of rehospitalization. However, being voluntary and non-urgent, it is potentially determined by both healthcare needs and the socio-demographic context of stroke survivor-caregiver dyads. Therefore, we aimed to examine the role of caregiver factors in outpatient medical follow-up (primary care (PC) and specialist outpatient care (SOC)) post-stroke. Method Stroke survivors and caregivers from the Singapore Stroke Study, a prospective, yearlong, observational study, contributed to the study sample. Participants were interviewed 3-monthly for data collection. Counts of PC and SOC visits were extracted from the National Claims Database. Poisson modelling was used to explore the association of caregiver (and patient) factors with PC/SOC visits over 0–3 months (early) and 4–12 months (late) post-stroke. Results For the current analysis, 256 stroke survivors and caregivers were included. While caregiver-reported memory problems of a stroke survivor (IRR: 0.954; 95% CI: 0.919, 0.990) and caregiver burden (IRR: 0.976; 95% CI: 0.959, 0.993) were significantly associated with lower early post-stroke PC visits, co-residing caregiver (IRR: 1.576; 95% CI: 1.040, 2.389) and negative care management strategies (IRR: 1.033; 95% CI: 1.005, 1.061) were significantly associated with higher late post-stroke SOC visits. Conclusion We demonstrated that the association of caregiver factors with outpatient medical follow-up varied by the type of service (i.e., PC versus SOC) and temporally. Our results support family-centred care provision by family physicians viewing caregivers not only as facilitators of care in the community but also as active members of the care team and as clients requiring care and regular assessments.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Bramham ◽  
David Makanjuola ◽  
Wael Hussein ◽  
Debra Cafful ◽  
Hassan Shehata

The role of cystatin C (Cys-C) as a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in pregnancy is undetermined. Measurements of Cys-C and creatinine (Cr) were taken at 14–17+6, 18–23+6, 27–31+6 weeks' gestation, at delivery and 2–6 weeks postpartum in a prospective observational study of 27 women. There was no difference between Cys-C levels in early and late second trimester, but they were significantly higher in early third trimester ( P < 0.001) than second trimester, despite no concurrent increase in Cr. Cys-C was also significantly higher at delivery than at all other times in pregnancy ( P < 0.001) and fell to postpartum values higher than second trimester measurements ( P < 0.01), but lower than delivery ( P<0.001). In conclusion, changes in Cys-C may be influenced by pregnancy-related changes in glomerular filtration and therefore we would advise against their use as a marker of GFR in pregnancy.


Author(s):  
VS Gaurav Narayan ◽  
SG Ramya ◽  
Sonal Rajesh Kumar ◽  
SK Nellaiappa Ganesan

Introduction: The Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a rapid decline in renal filtration function. The aetiological spectrum, prevalence of AKI and outcome is highly variable. This variation exists due to the difference in the criteria used, study population and demographic features. Huge differences are noted when AKI is compared in developing and developed countries. Hence, it is important to analyse the spectrum of AKI to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment which shall help in improving the outcome. Aim: To study the prevalence, aetiology and outcome of AKI in the medical intensive care. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in a medical intensive care for 18 months where 1490 patients were screened and 403 patients were included as AKI by KDIGO criteria. History, examination, appropriate investigations and treatment details including dialysis were noted. The serum creatinine levels were obtained every day, to know the time of onset of AKI, at the time of death or discharge, and after one month for patients who turned up for follow-up. Patients were categorised based on outcome as survivors and nonsurvivors. Survivors were divided into as fully recovered and partially recovered and those who left the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) against medical advice were termed as lost to follow-up. Results: A total of 403 patients (27.04% of 1490) of medical intensive care admissions were found to have AKI. Sepsis was the most common cause of AKI. At the end of the month, 78.4% of AKI patients fully recovered, 1.2% partially recovered and the mortality was 14.9%. Mortality was higher in AKI associated with chronic medical conditions like cardiac failure, chronic liver disease and stroke. Conclusion: If treated early, AKI is mostly reversible. Regional differences in AKI should be studied extensively and local guidelines should be formulated by experts for prevention and early treatment, to improve the disease outcome.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Grisuna Singh ◽  
Binod Thapa ◽  
Kiran Gurung ◽  
Nirmal Gyawali

Introduction: The physical, socioeconomic and psychological burden of low back pain is enormous. The poor socioeconomic condition and geographical constrains confines people to limited health facilities. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether combination of caudal epidural steroids with local anaesthetics and gabapentin is effective for radicular low back pain in the rural Nepal setting. Methods: It was a prospective observational study including 300 patients with radicular low back pain done over a period of 6 months (13/4/2016 to 30/10/2016). All participants received caudal epidural steroid injection (6ml 2% Xylocaine with adrenaline plus Depomedroxy steroid 80mg plus 12 ml distilled water) and 200 mg gabapentin daily for three months. All patients were followed up for three months and were evaluated. Results: Mean age of presentation was 41.21 years (SD ± 11.02) with majority of farmers (42.31%). Mean Numerical Rating Scale at the baseline was 8.01(SD±1.00) and at the first follow up was 3.98 (SD±0.83) (p <0.001). Mean Oswestry Disability Index at baseline was7.85 (SD±0.98) and at the first follow up was 4.04 (SD±0.80) (p <0.001). Straight Leg Raising Test at baseline was less than 70° in 84.7% which improved to more than 70° in 87.9% of the patients (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Caudal epidural steroids combined with gabapentin is safe, economical and technically less demanding. This treatment modality can be used with good outcomes in the rural areas with limited diagnostic and therapeutic facilities.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document