scholarly journals Patient Experiences of Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction

ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Carl M Philpott ◽  
James Boardman ◽  
Duncan Boak
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Clinical Trials Unit ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Age Range

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> To highlight the importance of the need for new treatment modalities, this study aimed to characterise the experience of patients with postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD) in terms of the treatment they received. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An online survey was hosted by the Norwich Clinical Trials Unit on the secure REDCap server. Members of the charity Fifth Sense (the UK charity that represents and supports people affected by smell and taste disorders) were invited to participate. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were 149 respondents, of whom 127 had identified themselves as having (or had) PIOD. The age range of respondents to the survey was 28–85 years, with a mean of 58 ± 12 years, with the duration of their disorder &#x3c;5 years in 63% of cases. Respondents reported experiencing variable treatment with oral and/or intranasal steroids given typically (28%), often with no benefit, but with 50% receiving no treatment whatsoever; only 3% reported undertaking olfactory training. Over two-thirds of patients experience parosmia and, up to 5 years from the onset of the problem, were still actively seeking a solution. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> There appears to be a need to encourage greater use of guidelines for olfactory disorders amongst medical practitioners and also to develop more effective treatments for patients with PIOD, where there is clearly an unmet need.

scholarly journals How to design a hypertension treatment trial that informs care of older people with frailty: a survey of clinicians in Ireland and the UK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Veenhuizen ◽  
Oliver Todd ◽  
Atul Anand ◽  
Will Whiteley
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Treatment Target ◽  
Nice Guidelines ◽  
Treatment Agent ◽  
Blood Pressures ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Key Aspects

Abstract Introduction At all ages, randomised trials demonstrate lower mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence with blood pressure (BP) lowering. However, this may not generalise to older people with frailty. We aimed to determine the acceptability to clinicians of key aspects of trial designs using different BP targets and strategies to better manage hypertension in the context of frailty. Methods We conducted a multinational survey of clinicians managing hypertension in older people, distributed using an online survey link amongst professional societies and social networks. Questions described case histories of patients who were frail with different systolic blood pressures (SBP), treatment target, strategy and target trial population. Results In total, 114 responses were received (48 primary care, 66 secondary care). A majority would consider recruiting patients to a trial of relaxing treatment in those whose SBP &lt; 130 mm Hg; a majority would consider recruiting to a trial intensifying treatment in patients with SBP &gt; 150 mm Hg. Respondents elected to intensify treatment by: choosing the next step by NICE guidelines, adding a new treatment agent at full dose, or adding two agents at half dose. Conclusion A majority of clinicians surveyed would recruit older people to a trial intensifying treatment where SBP is more than 150 mm Hg and where patients have high cardiovascular risk or to a trial relaxing treatment where the SBP is below 130 mm Hg and where the patient has frailty.

When can I drive? Advising patients when to drive after general surgical procedures

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 239-242
Author(s):  
Steven Dixon ◽  
Sean Woodcock
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Surgical Trainees ◽  
General Surgeons ◽  
Surgical Teams ◽  
The Uk

Introduction Advising patients when they are medically fit to drive following general surgical procedures is crucial to minimise risk to patients, the general public as road user’s and pedestrians and also avoid negligence claims against medical practitioners. Historically, in the UK, this advice has come from a number of sources including surgeons, general practitioners, insurers and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The aim of this study was to review how current surgical teams distribute this advice and what this advice is based upon. Materials and methods An online survey was devised and distributed to all consultant general surgeons and trainees in the North East of England via email. Leading vehicle insurance companies and the DVLA were contacted to assess what advice they gave for specific procedures (ventral hernia, appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, fundoplication). Results A total of 135 surveys were distributed, 56 were returned, with a response rate of 41.5%. Twenty-two (39.3%) of respondents were consultants, 30 (53.6%) were speciality trainees (ST3-8) and 4 (7.1%) were core surgical trainees (CT1-2). Some (14.2%) gave driving advice to every patient, 39.3% gave advice to most patients; 42.9% gave advice pre-operatively in clinic, 39.3% gave the advice pre-operatively on the day of surgery, and 96.4% of responders based their advice on traditional teaching. Discussion and conclusions: There is variation in the content and timing of advice regarding driving after general surgical procedures. This inconsistency will undoubtedly lead to incorrect information being distributed to patients and will impact post-operative patient safety. We suggest formulating consistent advice in a written format, standardising the process which in turn will protect patients and surgeons.

Tumor Treating Fields – Behind and Beyond Inhibiting the Cancer Cell Cycle

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 599-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cédric Kissling ◽  
Stefano Di Santo
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Tumor Treating Fields ◽  
Precise Knowledge ◽  
Alternating Electric Fields ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
New Treatment

The unmet need for a safe treatment that significantly improves the overall survival, as well as the quality of life of patients with brain tumors, has urged researchers to work out new treatment modalities. About 15 years ago, it was shown that alternating electric fields significantly impair the growth of cancer cells. Recently, this potentially revolutionary approach called Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs) has been FDA-approved for the treatment of glioblastoma as well as mesothelioma. However, despite the promising reports on the potential of TTFs, the precise knowledge of the mechanisms of action is still lacking. The purpose of this review is, thus, to present the current state of research and to highlight the variety of ultrastructural effects of TTFs. Moreover, the aim is to bring to the foreground less discussed mechanisms of action of TTFs, which might develop into novel therapeutic approaches. Therefore, a systematic literature search in Ovid Medline and Embase was performed on clinical and preclinical data concerning TTFs. The alternating electric fields force cellular components to aberrant dynamics, among which the most evident is the inhibition of the mitotic spindle assembly leading to impaired cancer cell division and cell death. However, a variety of other microstructural events induced by TTFs, such as inhibition of DNA repair and cell migration, as well as an enhancement of anti- tumor immune response and membrane permeability, have been reported. In addition, apart from a suggested interference with angiogenesis, no TTF-induced effects on normal cells have been described so far.

scholarly journals (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Giordano ◽  
Katrin Liethmann ◽  
Sascha K�pke ◽  
Jana Poettgen ◽  
Anne Rahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Preference Scale ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
Knowledge Questionnaire ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Patient Questionnaires ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Risk Knowledge

BACKGROUND Adequate risk knowledge of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) is a prerequisite for informed choices in medical encounters. Previous work showed that MS risk knowledge is low among pwMS and role preferences are different in Italy and Germany. OBJECTIVE We investigated the level of risk knowledge and role preferences in 8 countries and assessed putative variables associated with risk knowledge. METHODS An online-survey was performed based on the Risk knowledge questionnaire for people with relapsing-remitting MS (RIKNO 2.0), the electronic Control Preference Scale (eCPS), and other patient questionnaires. RESULTS Of 1939 participants from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Turkey, 986 (51%) completed the RIKNO 2.0, with a mean of 41% correct answers. There were less than 50 participants in the UK and Estonia and data were not analysed. Risk knowledge differed across countries (P < .001). Variables significantly associated with higher risk knowledge were higher education (P < .001), previous experience with disease modifying drugs (P = .001), correct answer to a medical data interpretation question (P < .001), while higher fear for wheelchair dependency was negatively associated to risk knowledge (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS MS risk knowledge was overall low and differed across participating countries. These data indicate that information is an unmet need of most pwMS. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.

Management of thoracic aortic lesions - the future is endovascular

VASA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weidenhagen ◽  
Bombien ◽  
Meimarakis ◽  
Geisler ◽  
A. Koeppel
Keyword(s):  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Traumatic Rupture ◽  
Descending Thoracic Aorta ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Aneurysm Dissection

Open surgical repair of lesions of the descending thoracic aorta, such as aneurysm, dissection and traumatic rupture, has been the “state-of-the-art” treatment for many decades. However, in specialized cardiovascular centers, thoracic endovascular aortic repair and hybrid aortic procedures have been implemented as novel treatment options. The current clinical results show that these procedures can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates. However, due to a lack of randomized trials, the level of reliability of these new treatment modalities remains a matter of discussion. Clinical decision-making is generally based on the experience of the vascular center as well as on individual factors, such as life expectancy, comorbidity, aneurysm aetiology, aortic diameter and morphology. This article will review and discuss recent publications of open surgical, hybrid thoracic aortic (in case of aortic arch involvement) and endovascular repair in complex pathologies of the descending thoracic aorta.

Understanding Teens’ Perceptions and Aspirations towards Relationship with Personal Technology: Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Jee ◽  
Alsa Khan
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
User Experience Design ◽  
Personal Connection ◽  
New Associations ◽  
Future Technology ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Personal Technology ◽  
Age Range

BACKGROUND Understanding teens' relationship with technology is a pressing topic in this digital era. There seem to be both benefit and harmful implications that originate from use of technology by teens. Approximately 95% of teenagers have access to a smartphone, and several studies show a positive correlation between screen addiction and trends of Anxiety and Depression. While, at the same time, research shows that two-thirds of teenagers believe that technology is a necessity for connecting and making new friends. OBJECTIVE The aim of this research is to understand teens’ perceptions of their own and others’ relationship with personal technology and what future relationships do teens aspire to have with their technology. This will be fundamental in helping designers, healthcare practitioners and youth counselors inform design in technology accordingly. METHODS This research paper explores teens and technology relationship via three lenses. Lens-1 is teens' perception of their current relationship with their personal technology as users. Lens-2 is teens' perception of others' (parents, siblings or friends) relationship with personal technology as bystanders. Lens-3 is teens’ aspiration of how they wish to relate to their personal technology. We conducted an online survey with 619 teens in the 13-19 years age range. RESULTS We found that teens selected 'Essential,' 'Distractive,' and 'Addictive' most commonly to describe their own and others' relationship with personal technology. Whereas teens selected 'Provides an escape' more to describe their own relationship with technology. In contrast, they selected 'It's just a tool' and 'Creates Barrier' more to describe others' relationship with technology. These trends are consistent across ages and genders. Additionally, we found that 13-15 year-olds, particularly the majority of females in this age range, wish to see their future technology as their 'best friend.' However, 16-17 year-olds’ top choice was 'I don't believe in personal connection with mobile technology,’ and 18-19 year-olds’ top choice was 'My personal assistant.’ CONCLUSIONS Our three lenses approach is holistic as it allowed comparison of how teens perceive their relationship with personal technology as users vs. bystanders and from current vs. aspirational perspectives. This research not just confirms what is already known, but uncovers critical new associations more exclusive to teens' own relationship with technology. This paper presents related design implications to inform personal tech design thinking, including our guideline to shift 'user experience design' process to 'user relationship design.'

Systematic literature review of clinical outcomes in adults with metastatic or advanced synovial sarcoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (35) ◽  
pp. 2997-3013
Author(s):  
Kentaro Kogushi ◽  
Michael LoPresti ◽  
Shunya Ikeda
Keyword(s):  
Synovial Sarcoma ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Systemic Treatment ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare, aggressive soft tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis after metastasis. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the clinical evidence for therapeutic options for adults with metastatic or advanced SS. Materials & methods: Relevant databases were searched with predefined keywords. Results: Thirty-nine publications reported clinical data for systemic treatment and other interventions. Data on survival outcomes varied but were generally poor (progression-free survival: 1.0–7.7 months; overall survival: 6.7–29.2 months) for adults with metastatic and advanced SS. A high frequency of neutropenia with systemic treatment and low quality of life post-progression were reported. Conclusion: Reported evidence suggests poor outcomes in adults with metastatic and advanced SS and the need for the development of new treatment modalities.

scholarly journals Inhibitory Effects of a Reengineered Anthrax Toxin on Canine Oral Mucosal Melanomas

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Tomoko Nishiya ◽  
Marcia Kazumi Nagamine ◽  
Ivone Izabel Mackowiak da Fonseca ◽  
Andrea Caringi Miraldo ◽  
Nayra Villar Scattone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Anthrax Toxin ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Upa Receptor ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Oral Malignancy

Canine oral mucosal melanomas (OMM) are the most common oral malignancy in dogs and few treatments are available. Thus, new treatment modalities are needed for this disease. Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) toxin has been reengineered to target tumor cells that express urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and metalloproteinases (MMP-2), and has shown antineoplastic effects both, in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a reengineered anthrax toxin on canine OMM. Five dogs bearing OMM without lung metastasis were included in the clinical study. Tumor tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for expression of uPA, uPA receptor, MMP-2, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2. Animals received either three or six intratumoral injections of the reengineered anthrax toxin prior to surgical tumor excision. OMM samples from the five dogs were positive for all antibodies. After intratumoral treatment, all dogs showed stable disease according to the canine Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (cRECIST), and tumors had decreased bleeding. Histopathology has shown necrosis of tumor cells and blood vessel walls after treatment. No significant systemic side effects were noted. In conclusion, the reengineered anthrax toxin exerted inhibitory effects when administered intratumorally, and systemic administration of this toxin is a promising therapy for canine OMM.

scholarly journals Survey of young people in one region of the UK on accessing COVID-19 information (SOCIAL)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000942
Author(s):  
Oliver G P Lawton ◽  
Sarah A Lawton ◽  
Lisa Dikomitis ◽  
Joanne Protheroe ◽  
Joanne Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Gaps ◽  
The Uk

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.

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