scholarly journals Utility of telemedicine in pediatric rheumatology during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Perdue ◽  
Charles Mullett ◽  
Amna Umer ◽  
Paul Rosen

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has provided an alternative to in-person visits for patients practicing social distancing and undergoing quarantine. During this time, there has been a rapid expansion of telemedicine and its implementation in various clinical specialties and settings. In this observational study we aim to examine the utility of telemedicine in a pediatric rheumatology clinic, for 3 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A review of outpatient pediatric rheumatology telemedicine encounters were conducted from April–June 2020. Telemedicine visits (n = 75) were compared to patients seen in practice over the prior year in office-based visits (March 2019–March 2020) (n = 415). Patient characteristics, information on no-show visits, completed visits, new patient or follow-up status, and if new patients had received a visit within 2 weeks of calling to schedule an appointment were analyzed by chart review. An independent sample t-test and Chi Square statistic was used to determine statical significance between the two groups. A two-proportion z-test was used to compare visit metrics. Results The percentage of new patients utilizing telemedicine (60%) was lower and statistically significant compared to the percentage of new patient office visits (84%) the previous year (p < 0.0001). There was no change in no-show rate between groups and patient characteristics were similar. Conclusions This study demonstrates a statistically significant decrease in new patient visits during the pandemic with telemedicine-only appointments compared to in-office visits over the previous year. This suggests a possible hesitation to seek care during this time. However, there was no significant difference among patient characteristics between telemedicine visits during the pandemic and during in-office visits in the previous year. In our experience, patient visits were able to be conducted via telemedicine with a limited physical exam using caregiver’s help during the pandemic. However, further studies will need to ascertain patient satisfaction and preference for telemedicine in the future.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Perdue ◽  
Charles Mullett ◽  
Amna Umer ◽  
Paul Rosen

Abstract Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has provided an alternative to in-person visits for patients practicing social distancing and undergoing quarantine. During this time, there has been a rapid expansion of telemedicine and its implementation in various clinical specialties and settings. In this observational study we aim to examine the utility of telemedicine in a pediatric rheumatology clinic, for 3 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A review of outpatient pediatric rheumatology telemedicine encounters were conducted from April-June 2020. Telemedicine visits (n=75) were compared to patients seen in practice over the prior year in office-based visits (March 2019-March 2020) (n=415). Patient characteristics, information on no-show visits, completed visits, new patient or follow-up status, and if new patients had received a visit within 2 weeks of calling to schedule an appointment were analyzed by chart review. An independent sample t-test and Chi Square statistic was used to determine statical significance between the two groups. A two-proportion z-test was used to compare visit metrics.Results: The percentage of new patients utilizing telemedicine (60%) was lower and statistically significant compared to the percentage of new patient office visits (84%) the previous year (p<0.0001). There was no change in no-show rate between groups and patient characteristics were similar.Conclusions: This study demonstrates a statistically significant decrease in new patient visits during the pandemic with telemedicine-only appointments compared to in-office visits over the previous year. This suggests a possible hesitation to seek care during this time. However, there was no significant difference among patient characteristics between telemedicine visits during the pandemic and during in-office visits in the previous year. In our experience, patient visits were able to be conducted via telemedicine with a limited physical exam using caregiver’s help during the pandemic. However, further studies will need to ascertain patient satisfaction and preference for telemedicine in the future.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110257
Author(s):  
Joel W. Jones ◽  
Daniel P. Ballard ◽  
Todd A. Hillman ◽  
Douglas A. Chen

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of mastoidectomy with antibiotic catheter irrigation in patients with chronic tympanostomy tube otorrhea. Methods: A chart review of adult and pediatric patients with persistent tympanostomy tube otorrhea who had failed outpatient medical management and underwent mastoidectomy with placement of a temporary indwelling catheter for antibiotic instillation was performed. Patients were retrospectively followed for recurrent drainage after 2 months and outcomes were categorized as resolution (0-1 episodes of otorrhea or otitis media with effusion during follow-up), improvement (2-3 episodes), or continued episodic (>3 episodes). Results: There were 22 patients and 23 operated ears. Median age was 46 years (interquartile range, IQR = 29-65). The median duration of otorrhea from referral was 5.5 months (IQR = 2.8-12). Following surgery, 14 ears had resolution of drainage, 6 had improvement, and 3 had episodic. The observed percentage of resolved/improved ears (87%) was significant ( P = .0005, 95% CI = 67.9%-95.5%). Median follow-up time was 25 months (IQR = 12-59). Pre and postoperative pure tone averages improved (difference of medians = −3.3 dB, P = .02) with no significant difference in word recognition scores ( P = .68). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolated microbe while no growth was most frequently noted on intraoperative cultures. Conclusions: Mastoidectomy with antibiotic catheter irrigation may be an effective surgical strategy, and single stage alternative to intravenous antibiotics, for select patients with persistent tube otorrhea who have failed topical and oral antibiotics.


2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. 701.18-701
Author(s):  
B.R. Bica ◽  
A.B. Vargas ◽  
C.C. Valentim ◽  
F.W. Castro ◽  
J. Fragoso ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naser Sargolzaie ◽  
Hamid Reza Arab ◽  
Marzieh Mohammadi Moghaddam

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of implant body form (cylindrical and conical implants) on crestal bone levels during 6 months' follow-up after loading. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 SPI implants (19 conical implants/13 cylindrical implants) were randomly placed in 12 male patients using a submerged approach. None of the patients had compromising medical conditions or parafunctional habits. Periapical radiographs using the parallel technique were taken after clinical loading and 6 months later. Clinical indices including pocket depth and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded on 6-month follow-up. Data were analyzed by independent samples t-test and Chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Six months after loading, crestal bone loss was 0.84 (±0.29) mm around the cylindrical implants and 0.73 (±0.62) mm around the conical types, which was not significantly different (P = 0.54). Pocket depth around the cylindrical and conical implants was 2.61 (±0.45) mm and 2.36 (±0.44) mm, respectively (P = 0.13). BOP was observed among 53.8% and 47.4% of the cylindrical implants and conical (P = 0.13). Bone loss and pocket depth in the maxilla and mandible had no significant difference (P = 0.46 and P = 0.09, respectively). Conclusion: In this study, although bone loss and clinical parameters were slightly higher in the cylindrical implants, there was no significant difference between the conical- and cylindrical-shaped implants.


2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukhinder Bhangu ◽  
Michael Devlin ◽  
Tim Pauley

Objective: To evaluate the functional outcome of individuals with transfemoral and contralateral transtibial amputations secondary to peripheral vascular disease.Methods: A retrospective chart review followed by phone interview. The primary outcome measures were the discharge 2-minute walk test, Frenchay Activities Index, and the Houghton Scale.Results: There were 31 dysvascular individuals identified to have a combination of transfemoral/transtibial (TF/TT) amputation admitted to our institution for rehabilitation from February 1998 to June 2007. The mortality at follow up was 68%. There were eight surviving amputees. The average 2-minute walk test score was 31.9 m at the time of discharge from our inpatient program. Of these, the average Frenchay Activities Index was 15.3. The average Houghton Scale score for use of the transtibial prosthesis alone was 2.1. The average Houghton Scale score for use of both prostheses was 1.5. Comparisons between groups based on initial amputation level revealed a significant difference of being fitted with a transfemoral prosthesis. Those whom initially had a TT amputation were less likely to ultimately be fitted with a TF prosthesis ( X21,n=31 = 4.76, p < 0.05).Conclusion: The overall functional outcome of individuals with a combination of TF/TT amputation due to dysvascular causes is poor. These individuals have a low level of ambulation, activity, and prosthetic use.


2014 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. S237-S237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie G. David ◽  
David A. Langer ◽  
Gwendolyn Kelso ◽  
Mindy S. Lo

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15146-e15146
Author(s):  
Arif Hussain ◽  
Ebere Onukwugha ◽  
Jinani Jayasekera ◽  
Diane L. McNally ◽  
Brian S. Seal ◽  
...  

e15146 Background: BM is diagnosed in 70-80% of men with metastatic PCa. Less is known about the timing of BM diagnosis following incident non-metastatic PCa and associated patient characteristics. In this study, we determined the incidence and timing of post-diagnosis BM (BMpd) among PCa patients (pts) by incident stage, age, race and year of diagnosis using a large observational dataset. Methods: We analyzed pts aged 66 or older from the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare (SEER-Medicare) database. Pts with PCa were identified between 2000 and 2007 and were followed until death, Medicare disenrollment, HMO enrollment, or end of the study (December 31, 2009). The cohort included incident stage III and IV(M0) PCa in SEER, and identified BM occurring either within (i.e., +/-) 1 month of the SEER diagnosis month (BM90) or beyond the initial 90-day window (BMgt90) based on the presence of at least one inpatient or one outpatient claim with a diagnosis code of 198.5. We calculated summary and chi-square statistics to examine BMpd, BM90, and BMgt90 by incident stage, age, race and year of PCa diagnosis. Results: Among 9,188 Stage III (72%) and IV(M0) (28%) PCa pts who met inclusion/exclusion criteria, 14.6% (n=1,345) had BMpd: 2.3% (n= 217) had BM90 and 12.3% (n=1,128) had BMgt90. Average age was 72 years and 9% were African American (AA). Incidence of BMpd varied by stage (stage III: 11%; stage IV/M0: 25%; p<0.001) and by age group (66-74 years: 13%; 75-84 years: 19%; >85 years: 22%; p<0.001) but not by race (White: 15%; AA: 16%; Other: 13%; p=0.49). The diagnosis BM90 and BMgt90 varied with stage (stage III: 2% and 9%; stage IV(M0): 4% and 21%; p<0.0001) and age (66-74 years: 2% and 11%; 75-84 years: 3% and 16%; >85 years: 5% and 17%; p<0.001). The incidence of BM decreased over time whether considering BMpd (19% in 2000 to 9% in 2007; p<0.001), BM90 (4% in 2000 to 2% in 2007; p=0.03) or BMgt90 (16% in 2000 to 6% in 2007; p<0.001). Conclusions: BM occurred in only 2% of incident stage III/IV(M0) PCa pts within 1 month of diagnosis, but nearly 15% were diagnosed with BM during a median follow-up of 57 months. Prevalence of BM was highest in stage IV(M0) and older pts.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 124-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Lening ◽  
Vatche G. Agopian ◽  
Ronald W. Busuttil ◽  
David S. Liebeskind

Background: We examined neurologic consultations for altered mental status in perioperative liver transplant patients to determine the overall incidence, to assess the presumed etiology and the data reviewed to determine that etiology, and to assess outcomes. Methods: Retrospective chart review conducted for all 728 adult patients receiving orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) between January 01, 2010, to June 30, 2014, with identification of 218 receiving neurology consults between 30 days pre-OLT and 90 days post-OLT, with review of all records necessary to determine initial findings and follow-up examination. Results: Seventy-three consults for 69 patients were identified, with 27 felt to be altered since a procedure, 20 with sudden-onset altered mentation, and 26 with gradual or waxing–waning course. A single underlying etiology was identified in only 19 cases, with multiple factors involved in all others, with metabolic, toxic, infectious, and structural etiologies most often implicated. There was no statistically significant difference in outcome for those with altered mental status consults versus the total OLT population, though the sudden-onset presentation group did show significantly increased mortality rates. Conclusions: This systematic study illustrates the variety of potential causes of altered mentation within the perioperative setting of liver transplantation. Workup including neuroimaging (preferably magnetic resonance imaging), infectious cultures, and expanded metabolic laboratory tests should be undertaken.


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