Use of Mustard Seed Footbaths for Respiratory Tract Infections: A Pilot Study

Objective. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most commonly treated acute problems in general practice. Instead of treatment with antibiotics, therapies from the field of integrative medicine play an increasingly important role within the society. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether mustard footbaths improve the symptoms of patients with RTIs. Methods. The study was designed as a pilot study and was carried out as an interventional trial with two points of measurement. Between November and December 2017, six practices were invited to participate. Two of them participated in the study. Patients were included who presented with an RTI at one of the involved primary care practices during February and April 2018. Participants in the intervention group used self-administered mustard seed powder footbaths at home once a day, to be repeated for six consecutive days. The improvement of symptoms was measured using the “Herdecke Warmth Perception Questionnaire” (HeWEF). A variance analysis for repeated measurements was performed to analyse differences between the intervention and control groups. Results. In this pilot study, 103 patients were included in the intervention group and 36 patients were included in the control group. A comparison of the intervention and control group before the intervention started showed nearly no difference in their subjective perception of warmth measured by the HeWEF questionnaire. Participants of the intervention group who used mustard seed footbaths for six consecutive days showed an improvement in four of the five subscales of the HeWEF questionnaire. Conclusions. This study could provide a first insight into a possible strategy to improve symptoms regarding RTI by using mustard seed footbaths.

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Improving antibiotic prescribing for pediatric acute respiratory tract infections: A cluster randomized trial to evaluate individual versus clinic feedback

Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ash.2021.212 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Herbert W. Clegg ◽

Stephen J. Ezzo ◽

Kelly B. Flett ◽

William E. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Family Medicine ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

Tract Infections

Abstract Objective: To assess the effect of individual compared to clinic-level feedback on guideline-concordant care for 3 acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) among family medicine clinicians caring for pediatric patients. Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial with a 22-month baseline, 26-month intervention period, and 12-month postintervention period. Setting and participants: In total, 26 family medicine practices (39 clinics) caring for pediatric patients in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina were selected based upon performance on guideline-concordance for 3 ARTIs, stratified by practice size. These were randomly allocated to a control group (17 clinics in 13 practices) or to an intervention group (22 clinics in 13 practices). Interventions: All clinicians received an education session and baseline then monthly clinic-level rates for guideline-concordant antibiotic prescribing for ARTIs: upper respiratory tract infection (URI), acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS), and acute otitis media (AOM). For the intervention group only, individual clinician performance was provided. Results: Both intervention and control groups demonstrated improvement from baseline, but the intervention group had significantly greater improvement compared with the control group: URI (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–1.92; P < 0.01); ABS (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.11–1.88; P < 0.01); and AOM (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.24–2.03; P < 0.01). The intervention group also showed significantly greater reduction in broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing percentage (BSAP%): odds ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.74-0.87, P < 0.01. During the postintervention year, gains were maintained in the intervention group for each ARTI and for URI and AOM in the control group. Conclusions: Monthly individual peer feedback is superior to clinic-level only feedback in family medicine clinics for 3 pediatric ARTIs and for BSAP% reduction. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04588376, Improving Antibiotic Prescribing for Pediatric Respiratory Infection by Family Physicians with Peer Comparison.

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Lower respiratory tract infections among HIV positive and control group in Nepal

VirusDisease ◽

10.1007/s13337-015-0254-z ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (1-2) ◽

pp. 77-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chet Raj Ojha ◽

N. Rijal ◽

K. C. Khagendra ◽

K. Palpasa ◽

P. Kansakar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Lower Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Control Group ◽

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Tract Infections ◽

And Control

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The prophylactic effect of bovine colostrum on respiratory infection and diarrhea in formula-fed infants: a randomized trial

10.21203/rs.2.20117/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ke Chen ◽

Haixia Chen ◽

Jinwen Luo ◽

Chenggui Zeng ◽

Xiaobing Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Infection ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Protective Role ◽

Bovine Colostrum ◽

Control Group ◽

Prophylactic Effect ◽

Term Infants ◽

Tract Infections

Abstract Background It has been reported that regular consumption of bovine colostrum has a protective role for the gastrointestinal immunity of infants. However, not enough investigation has explored the prophylactic effect of bovine colostrum on the morbidity of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in formula-fed infants. The purpose of the study is to explore the prophylactic effect of BC on morbidity of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in formula-fed infants.Methods A total of 192 term infants aged 6 to 9 months, who were previously fully formula-fed after birth, were randomly recruited into this multi-centric, randomized, blank-controlled, opened, and post-marketing intervention study. Infants in the intervention group (IG) were given a commercially available bovine colostrum sachet once a day for 3 months while infants in the control group (CG) were not given the bovine colostrum sachet. The morbidity and duration of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections and the fecal IgA, calprotectin, and total fatty acid were monitored during the intervention.Result There was a lower incidence of loose stool [IG/CG rate ratio: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.09-0.67], increased stool frequency (0.30, 0.17-0.78), loss of appetite (0.28, 0.11-0.47), sneezing (0.22,0.07-0.69), upper respiratory infection (0.55, 0.32-0.88), and diarrhea (0.25, 0.09-0.61) and shorter duration of diarrhea for infants in IG than those in CG.Conclusion Bovine colostrum intervention for 3 months showed a potential prophylactic effect on respiratory infection and diarrhea in formula-fed infants. The present data may be applicable to other infants of similar socioeconomic status.

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Effect of C reactive protein point-of-care testing on antibiotic prescribing for lower respiratory tract infections in nursing home residents: cluster randomised controlled trial

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.n2198 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. n2198 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tjarda M Boere ◽

Laura W van Buul ◽

Rogier M Hopstaken ◽

Maurits W van Tulder ◽

Jos W M R Twisk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Lower Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Control Group ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Tract Infections

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether C reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP POCT) safely reduces antibiotic prescribing for lower respiratory tract infections in nursing home residents. Design Pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial. Setting The UPCARE study included 11 nursing home organisations in the Netherlands. Participants 84 physicians from 11 nursing home organisations included 241 participants with suspected lower respiratory tract infections from September 2018 to the end of March 2020. Interventions Nursing homes allocated to the intervention group had access to CRP POCT. The control group provided usual care without CRP POCT for patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infections. Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was antibiotic prescribing at initial consultation. Secondary outcome measures were full recovery at three weeks, changes in antibiotic management and additional diagnostics during follow-up at one week and three weeks, and hospital admission and all cause mortality at any point (initial consultation, one week, or three weeks). Results Antibiotics were prescribed at initial consultation for 84 (53.5%) patients in the intervention group and 65 (82.3%) in the control group. Patients in the intervention group had 4.93 higher odds (95% confidence interval 1.91 to 12.73) of not being prescribed antibiotics at initial consultation compared with the control group, irrespective of treating physician and baseline characteristics. The between group difference in antibiotic prescribing at any point from initial consultation to follow-up was 23.6%. Differences in secondary outcomes between the intervention and control groups were 4.4% in full recovery rates at three weeks (86.4% v 90.8%), 2.2% in all cause mortality rates (3.5% v 1.3%), and 0.7% in hospital admission rates (7.2% v 6.5%). The odds of full recovery at three weeks, and the odds of mortality and hospital admission at any point did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions CRP POCT for suspected lower respiratory tract infection safely reduced antibiotic prescribing compared with usual care in nursing home residents. The findings suggest that implementing CRP POCT in nursing homes might contribute to reduced antibiotic use in this setting and help to combat antibiotic resistance. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register NL5054

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Symptom-based early-stage differentiation between SARS-CoV-2 versus other respiratory tract infections—Upper Silesia pilot study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93046-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Justyna Mika ◽

Joanna Tobiasz ◽

Joanna Zyla ◽

Anna Papiez ◽

Małgorzata Bach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Older Patients ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Early Stage ◽

Patient Groups ◽

Project Data ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Infection Stage

AbstractIn the DECODE project, data were collected from 3,114 surveys filled by symptomatic patients RT-qPCR tested for SARS-CoV-2 in a single university centre in March-September 2020. The population demonstrated balanced sex and age with 759 SARS-CoV-2( +) patients. The most discriminative symptoms in SARS-CoV-2( +) patients at early infection stage were loss of taste/smell (OR = 3.33, p < 0.0001), body temperature above 38℃ (OR = 1.67, p < 0.0001), muscle aches (OR = 1.30, p = 0.0242), headache (OR = 1.27, p = 0.0405), cough (OR = 1.26, p = 0.0477). Dyspnea was more often reported among SARS-CoV-2(-) (OR = 0.55, p < 0.0001). Cough and dyspnea were 3.5 times more frequent among SARS-CoV-2(-) (OR = 0.28, p < 0.0001). Co-occurrence of cough, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste/smell (OR = 4.72, p = 0.0015) appeared significant, although co-occurrence of two symptoms only, cough and loss of smell or taste, means OR = 2.49 (p < 0.0001). Temperature > 38℃ with cough was most frequent in men (20%), while loss of taste/smell with cough in women (17%). For younger people, taste/smell impairment is sufficient to characterise infection, whereas in older patients co-occurrence of fever and cough is necessary. The presented study objectifies the single symptoms and interactions significance in COVID-19 diagnoses and demonstrates diverse symptomatology in patient groups.

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The Effect of Reflexology on Lactation in Women Who Had Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000513924 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sevde Aksu ◽

Pelin Palas Karaca

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Cesarean Section ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Breast Pain ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Right ◽

Documentation Tool ◽

And Control

Aim: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of reflexology on lactation in mothers who delivered by cesarean section (CS). Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a total of 60 postpartum women in the reflexology application (n = 30) and control groups (n = 30). After the CS, the mothers in the control group were given approximately 3-h routine nursing care after recovering from the effects of anesthesia; the introductory information form was applied, and the Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool (LATCH) and visual analog scale (VAS) for the signs of the onset of lactation were implemented on the first and second days. Reflexology was applied to the women in the intervention group after an average of 3 h following the mother’s condition had become stable and she had recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Reflexology was applied a total of 20 min – 10 min for the right foot, 10 min for the left foot – twice a day with 8-h intervals on the first and second days after CS. After the last reflexology application, the LATCH and VAS for the signs of the onset of lactation were applied. Results: Of the women, 70% breastfed their babies within 60 min after delivery; 46.7% of the mothers received breastfeeding training and 81.7% needed support for breastfeeding after the CS. The LATCH breastfeeding scores of the women in the intervention group on both days were significantly higher compared to those of the women in the control group (p < 0.001). On the first day after the CS, apart from breast pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast heat and breast tension (p > 0.05). On the second day after the CS, apart from breast tension, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of breast heat and breast pain (p < 0.05). In the study, women in the intervention group were found to have higher scores in terms of all three symptoms compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In the study, it was determined that LATCH scores and signs of the onset of breastfeeding increased in the mothers who received reflexology after CS.

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A Collaborative Deprescribing Intervention in a Subacute Medical Outpatient Clinic: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11040204 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 204

Author(s):

Anissa Aharaz ◽

Jens Henning Rasmussen ◽

Helle Bach Ølgaard McNulty ◽

Arne Cyron ◽

Pia Keinicke Fabricius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Inappropriate Medication ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Patient Interviews ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Multimorbid Patients ◽

And Control

Medication deprescribing is essential to prevent inappropriate medication use in multimorbid patients. However, experience of deprescribing in Danish Subacute Medical Outpatient Clinics (SMOCs) is limited. The objective of our pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of a collaborative deprescribing intervention by a pharmacist and a physician to multimorbid patients in a SMOC. A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted, with phone follow-up at 30 and 365+ days. A senior pharmacist performed a systematic deprescribing intervention using the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ potentially inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria, the Danish deprescribing list, and patient interviews. A senior physician received the proposed recommendations and decided which should be implemented. The main outcome was the number of patients having ≥1 medication where deprescribing status was sustained 30 days after inclusion. Out of 76 eligible patients, 72 (95%) were included and 67 (93%) completed the study (57% male; mean age 73 years; mean number of 10 prescribed medications). Nineteen patients (56%) in the intervention group and four (12%) in the control group had ≥1 medication where deprescribing status was sustained 30 days after inclusion (p = 0.015). In total, 37 medications were deprescribed in the intervention group and five in the control group. At 365+ days after inclusion, 97% and 100% of the deprescribed medications were sustained in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The three most frequently deprescribed medication groups were analgesics, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal medications. In conclusion, a collaborative deprescribing intervention for multimorbid patients was feasible and resulted in sustainable deprescribing of medication in a SMOC.

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A role of oropharyngeal microbiota in developing acute and chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Russian Journal of Infection and Immunity ◽

10.15789/2220-7619-aro-809 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 359-367

Author(s):

I. I. Ababii ◽

L. A. Danilov ◽

M. K. Maniuc ◽

P. I. Ababii ◽

S. S. Ghinda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Chronic Tonsillitis ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Currently, a rise in incidence of polyethological inflammation of the upper respiratory tract mucosa paralleled by altered resident and transient microbiota displaying in many cases increased antibiotic resistance has been noted. Opportunistic microbes play a major role in developing inflammatory process in Pirogov–Waldeyer’s ring. An inflammatory process occurring in the tonsillar lymphatic tissue results in host systemic complications. Fighting against acute and chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract holds the main task in pediatric otorhinolaryngology, as they can consequently elicit the cardiovascular, genitourinary and musculoskeletal complications. The results of studies examining this issue remain very contradictory, which accounted for a need to conduct our study on the territory of Moldova featured with mixed climatic conditions. Here, we wanted to study a role of microbial factor in etiopathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis in children. Bacteriological microbiota data for superficial palatine tonsils were obtained form 608 children subdivided into 5 groups: group I — 333 children with compensated chronic tonsillitis; group II — 87 children with decompensated chronic tonsillitis; group III — 91 children with acute upper respiratory tract infections (comparison group); group IV — 48 children with acute upper respiratory tract infections treated with antibiotic therapy; group V — 49 apparently healthy children (control group). It was found that β-hemolytic streptococcus exerting high sensitivity to virtually all antibiotics groups was detected in 17.4% of children with acute tonsilar inflammatory processes and decompensated defense in the lymphatic pharyngeal ring compared to 3.5% in control group. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in all study groups ranging within 4.8–21.7%, including 14% in apparently healthy children characterized by reduced antibiotics sensitivity. The data obtained suggest that sickly children with acute and chronic upper respiratory tract infections constitute a risk group for developing somatic diseases. The high incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae indicates a need for performing immunoprophylaxis, use of therapeutic vaccination as a up-to-date, combined approach in treatment of such pediatric cohort.

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The influence of a dietary advice on recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized controlled trial.

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120002554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Ellen van der Gaag ◽

Ruben Brandsema ◽

Job van der Palen ◽

Thalia Hummel

Keyword(s):

Supportive Care ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Dietary Advice ◽

Control Group ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

AbstractIntroductionSince there is no treatment for children suffering from upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) without immunological disorders, we searched for a possible tool to improve the health of these children.We evaluated whether a dietary advice including standard supportive care, can decrease the number and duration of URTI compared to standard supportive care in children aged 1–4 years with recurrent URTI.Material and MethodsDesign: A multicenter randomized controlled trial, with an intervention group receiving the dietary advice plus standard supportive care and a control group receiving standard supportive care alone.Setting: 3 Outpatient clinics in The Netherlands (urban and rural).Patients: 118 Children aged 1–4 years with recurrent URTIs.Intervention: A dietary advice consisting of five times per week green vegetables, 3 times per week beef, 300 mL whole milk per day, whole dairy butter on bread every day. Portion sizes are age appropriate. The intervention lasted for 6 months.ResultsChildren in the intervention group had 4.8 (1.6–9.5) days per month with symptoms of an URTI in the last three months of the study, compared to 7.7 (4.0–12.3) in the control group (p = 0.03). The total number of URTIs during the study period of 6 months was 5,7 (± 0,55) versus 6.8 (± 0,49) respectively (p = 0.068). Total use of antibiotics was markedly reduced in the intervention group (p = 0.034), as well as the visits to the general practitioner (p = 0.031), therefore possibly reducing healthcare costs.No adverse effects were observed in the lipid profiles, nor in growth parameters (weight, height, BMI).Discussion and conclusionsThis study shows a reduced number of days with symptoms of an URTI following a dietary advice consisting of green vegetables, beef and whole diary products. It did not significantly lower the number of infections. No adverse effects were observed.RegistrationThis trial is registered in the Dutch Trial Register, NTR4898, www.trialregister.nl.

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