scholarly journals Knowledge about juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis: more frequent reminders are associated with higher patient and family uveitis knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Cooper ◽  
Elaine R. Flanagan ◽  
Tova Ronis ◽  
Baruch Goldberg ◽  
Ashley K. Sherman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chronic anterior uveitis is a sight-threatening complication of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and a primary contributor to long-term morbidity in people with JIA. Levels of knowledge about uveitis among JIA patients and their parents are unknown. A survey of JIA patients and parents was conducted to assess knowledge about uveitis complications and recommended screening. Methods A survey was developed consisting of six demographic questions, six arthritis/uveitis history questions, and nine uveitis knowledge questions. The survey was administered to JIA patients age 14 and older and parents of patients with JIA at three pediatric rheumatology practices and online through the Patients, Advocates, and Rheumatology Teams Network for Research and Service (PARTNERS) network. ANOVA, chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to look for relationships between survey questions and demographic variables. Results Thirty-three patients and 111 parents completed the survey. Overall, 17.4% reported a history of uveitis, and 89.6% had heard of uveitis. The mean composite knowledge score was 6.46 ± 2.6 out of 9. Patients and parents with a history of uveitis had higher composite knowledge scores than their counterparts without a uveitis history (p = 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Parents whose rheumatologist reminded them about eye exams at every visit had higher knowledge of the risk of blindness (p = 0.04), the risk for uveitis when arthritis is controlled (p = 0.02), the need for ongoing eye exams when off of medications (p = 0.01), and had a higher overall score (p = 0.02) than those who were reminded at some visits or not at all. Conclusions JIA patients and parents report variable levels of knowledge regarding uveitis complications and recommended screening. Frequent discussion between the rheumatology provider and family about uveitis screening is associated with higher uveitis knowledge. Incorporating detailed and frequent education about uveitis into rheumatology clinic appointments may improve early uveitis detection and visual outcomes.

2021 ◽  
pp. 088307382110531
Author(s):  
Cemal Karakas ◽  
Emin Fidan ◽  
Kapil Arya ◽  
Troy Webber ◽  
Joan B. Cracco

To determine the frequency, predictors, and outcomes of seizures in patients with myelomeningocele, we retrospectively analyzed the data from patients with myelomeningocele followed longitudinally at a single center from 1975 to 2013. We identified a total of 122 patients (61% female). The mean follow-up duration was 11.1 years (minimum-maximum = 0-34.5 years, SD = 8.8, median = 9.1 years). A total of 108 (88.5%) patients had hydrocephalus, and 98 (90.7%) of those patients required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedure. Twenty-four (19.7%) patients manifested with seizures, 23 of whom had hydrocephalus. The average age of seizure onset was 4.8 years (median 2 years of age). Falx dysgenesis ( P = .004), lumbar myelomeningocele ( P = .007), and cortical atrophy ( P = .028) were significantly associated with epileptic seizure development. The average seizure-free period at the last follow-up in patients with a history of myelomeningocele and seizures was 8.1 years. We conclude that myelomeningocele patients with seizures have an overall good prognosis with considerable long-term seizure freedom.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freshteh Ashtari ◽  
Fatemeh Mokhtari ◽  
Mohammad Soudavi ◽  
Homa Saadat ◽  
Mahboubeh Valiani

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous System.Most women with MS are diagnosed during their reproductive ages.This study evaluated the effect of pregnancy on MS and the effect of MS disease on fertility and pregnancy health. Material & methods: A retrospective descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 110 women suffering from MS with a history of pregnancy(between 2007 and 2017years) in Isfahan, Iran.Samples were selected in a census model.Women completed a researcher-constructed questionnaire by telephone.The questionnaire consisted of three parts: demographic information,MS and its symptoms and its treatment, and the third part was related to the reproductive system and the history of pregnancy associated with MS. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using Chi-square, ANOVA and t-test.Results The mean age of women with MS was 32.4 years.The most common primary symptom was blurred vision(42.7%).In this population,the average number of pregnancies was 1.61,the number of deliveries was 1.35,the number of abortions was 0.24,the history of ectopic pregnancy was 0.01,the number of alive children was 1.36 and the number of dead children was 0.01.The average time of the last MS attack before the pregnancy was 21.36 months. Fatigue(24.5%) was the most common symptom exacerbated during pregnancy. MS symptoms improved in55.0% of subjects in the second trimester.Discussion MS had no effect on the pregnancy status, such as the number of abortions,ectopic pregnancy, alive and dead children and the duration of pregnancy.The symptoms of the disease are improved during pregnancy.Therefore, pregnancy has a protective role against MS.


Author(s):  
Sunitha P. ◽  
Sucy George

Hypertension (HTN) is an enormous health problem and is one of the biggest health challenges in the 21st century. Effective management in hypertension requires a multi-sectorial approach. Dietary management plays a vital role in managing blood pressure especially beetroot juice which contains nitrates helps in vasodilation thus reducing hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge regarding hypertension and supplementation of beetroot juice among hypertensive patients and To find the association between mean pre-test knowledge score about hypertension and supplementation of beet root juice with the selected demographic variables. A pre-experimental one group, pre-test post-test design was used for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 hypertensive patients. The investigator assessed the knowledge regarding HTN and supplementation of beetroot juice in managing hypertension using structured knowledge questionnaire and then the information booklet was administered to the subjects. The collected data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean post-test knowledge score (x2=23.87) was higher than the mean pre-test knowledge score (x1=17.40). The mean difference between post-test and pre-test knowledge score was highly significant. The obtained ‘t’ value (11.75) is higher than the table value (t29=1.70 at p<0.05 level significance). There was no significant association between knowledge score and selected demographic variables like age, gender, religion, education, occupation, income, and duration of illness. (2=2.143, 2=0.536, 2=0.000, 2=0.536, 2=2.143, 2=0.133, 2=0.536). Hence it can be concluded that information booklet is an effective strategy for providing information and improving the knowledge of adult hypertensive patients.


Author(s):  
Annmariya T.A ◽  
Arya K ◽  
Binni Varughese ◽  
Diniya M.T ◽  
Festimol Pinhero ◽  
...  

World Health Organization (WHO) defines accident as an unexpected and an unintended event causing physical and mental injures. Children being less aware of danger are more vulnerable to accidents are one of the five leading causes of death in developing countries yearly. Accidents are main cause of death among children aged between 1-5 years old. As children are explorative in nature a number of accidents occur in this age group. Aims of the study: To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding prevention of home accidents and to find association between the knowledge score of mothers and selected demographic variables. Methodology: A descriptive study approach was adopted and structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of mothers. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the 50 samples from the selected community at Mangalore. The results and Conclusion: Majority (36%) of the mothers belonged to the age group 25-31 years. Half (50%) of the samples are belonged to Muslim community, 60% of the samples were from nuclear family, most (36%) of the samples were having one under five child. Majority 34% had pre-university and 30% had secondary school education. Majority (84 %) of the respondents had moderately adequate knowledge, only few (4 %) had inadequate knowledge and only 12% had adequate knowledge on prevention of home accidents. The maximum score of knowledge score was about 19, range 16, mean 10.54, standard deviation ± 4.20 and the mean percentage was 13. The computed chi-square value chi-square value computed between the level of knowledge and selected demographic variables i.e. age (22=1.093) Religion (22=2.155), Type of family (22=2.614), number of children below 5 years of age (22=.398) educational status (23=1.840) of the mothers and whether the child met with any type of accidents (21=.368) not significant at 0.05 level of significance. Thus, it can be interpreted that there is no significant association between knowledge of mothers of under five children and selected variables. Knowledge of mothers regarding prevention of home accidents was moderately adequate. Under five home accidents are common in India and it is necessary to take adequate precautions to prevent it. Educating mothers is the best way to prevent under five accidents at home.


Author(s):  
Rizwan Alimohammad ◽  
Sayed Tariq ◽  
Ali Elkharbotly ◽  
Ed Timm ◽  
Mikhail Torosoff

Background: NSAIDs may exert direct deleterious effects on CV system, while non-selective (NS) -NSAIDs may also diminish cardio-protective effect of low-dose aspirin. On another hand, NSAIDs may decrease CRP levels and ameliorate systemic inflammation. We have investigated short and long-term outcomes associated with NSAIDs use in post-PCI patients. Methods and Material: NSAID utilization, hospital and long-term outcomes of 2933 percutaneous coronary revascularizations (PCI) were collected and analyzed. Patients not on aspirin, or treated with rofecoxib and valdecoxib were excluded. ANOVA, Chi-square, Kaplan-Meyer analysis with log-rank test, and logistic regression were utilized. The study was approved by the Institutional IRB. Results: Patients treated with NS-NSAIDs, but not celecoxib, experienced longer length of stay, higher incidence of peri-procedural myocardial infarction, and mildly increased post-PCI mortality (Table). These effects were unchanged after adjustment for age (p=0.001), ejection fraction (p<0.001), and history of previous MI (p<0.001). There was a trend towards lower long-term (50+/-15 months) mortality in NS-NSAIDs (9%) and celecoxib (6.7%) treated patients, when compared to the rest of the cohort (11.3%, Table). Conclusion: Non-selective NSAIDs, but not Celecoxib, are associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased peri-procedural myocardial infarction in PCI patients. Long-term mortality does not appear to be affected by the NSAIDs use at the time of PCI. Randomized studies of this important clinical question are needed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 07 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S026-S030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaios Peritogiannis ◽  
Thiresia Manthopoulou ◽  
Venetsanos Mavreas

ABSTRACT Introduction: Long-term benzodiazepine (BZD) treatment in patients with mental disorders is widespread in clinical practice, and this is also the case of patients with schizophrenia, although the evidence is weak and BZD prescription is discouraged by guidelines and medical authorities. Data on BZD prescription are usually derived from national or regional databases whereas information on the use of BZD by patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses in general population-based samples is limited. Materials and Methods: Information for 77 patients with psychotic disorders who were regularly attending follow-up appointments with the multidisciplinary Mobile Mental Health Unit of the prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Northwest Greece, during 1-year period (2015) was obtained from our database. Results: From the total of 77 engaged patients, 30 (39%) were regularly prescribed BZDs in the long term, as part of their treatment regimen. Prescribed BZDs were mostly diazepam and lorazepam, in 43.3% of cases each. The mean daily dose of these compounds was 13 mg and 3.77 mg, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a correlation of long-term BZD use with the history of alcohol/substance abuse. Most patients were receiving BZD continuously for several years, and the mean dose was steady within this interval. Conclusions: A large proportion of patients with psychotic disorders were regularly prescribed BZD in long term. It appears that when BZDs are prescribed for some period in the course of a psychotic disorder, their use commonly exceeds the recommended interval and then becomes a regular part of the chronic treatment regimen. Future research should address the factors that may be related to the long-term BZD use by patients with psychotic disorders. Interventions for the reduction of regular BZD prescription should target the primary care setting and all those who treat first episode patients.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2338-2338
Author(s):  
Lena Coïc ◽  
Suzanne Verlhac ◽  
Emmanuelle Lesprit ◽  
Emmanuelle Fleurence ◽  
Francoise Bernaudin

Abstract Abnormal TCD defined as high mean maximum velocities &gt; 200 cm/sec are highly predictive of stroke risk and justify long term transfusion program. Outcome and risk factors of conditional TCD defined as velocities 170–200 cm/sec remains to be described. Patients and methods Since 1992, 371 pediatric SCD patients (303 SS, 44 SC, 18 Sß+, 6 Sß0) were systematically explored once a year by TCD. The newborn screened cohort (n=174) had the first TCD exploration between 12 and 18 months of age. TCD was performed with a real-time imaging unit, using a 2 MHz sector transducer with color Doppler capabilities. Biological data were assessed at baseline, after the age of 1.5 years and remotely of transfusion or VOC. We report the characteristics and the outcome in patients (n=43) with an history of conditional TCD defined by mean maximum velocities ranging between 170 and 200 cm/s in the ACM, the ACA or the ICA. Results: The mean follow-up of TCD monitoring was 5,5 years (0 – 11,8 y). All patients with an history of conditional doppler were SS/Sb0 (n=43). Mean (SD) age of patients at the time of their first conditional TCD was 4.3 years (2.2) whereas in our series the mean age at abnormal TCD (&gt; 200 cm/sec) occurrence was 6.6 years (3.2). Comparison of basal parameters showed highly significant differences between patients with conditional TCD and those with normal TCD: Hb 7g4 vs 8g5 (p&lt;0.001), MCV 82.8 vs 79 (p=0.047). We also had found such differences between patients with normal and those with abnormal TCD (Hb and MCV p&lt; 0.001). Two patients were lost of follow-up. Two patients died during a trip to Africa. Conditional TCD became abnormal in 11/43 patients and justified transfusion program. Mean (SD) conversion delay was 1.8 (2.0) years (range 0.5–7y). No stroke occurred. 16 patients required a treatment intensification for other indications (frequent VOC/ACS, splenic sequestrations): 6 were transplanted and 10 received HU or TP. Significant risk factors (Pearson) of conversion to abnormal were the age at time of conditional TCD occurrence &lt; 3 y (p&lt;0.001), baseline Hb &lt; 7g/dl (p=0.02) and MCV &gt; 80 (p=0.04). MRI/MRA was performed in 31/43 patients and showed ischemic lesions in 5 of them at the mean (SD) age of 7.1 y (1.8) (range 4.5–8.9): no significant difference was observed in the occurrence of lesions between the 2 groups. Conclusions This study confirms the importance of age as predictive factor of conditional to abnormal TCD conversion with a risk of 64% when first conditional TCD occured before the age of 3 years. TCD has to be frequently controled during the 5 first years of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Hippolyte ◽  
Emilie De Carli ◽  
Isabelle Pellier ◽  
Xavier Rialland ◽  
Regis Coutant

Abstract For the brain tumor committee of SFCE (Societe ́ Française des Cancers de l’Enfant). Objective: Therapeutic approach favors chemotherapy as the first-line-treatment in progressing OPG. There are few data on long term endocrine outcomes of aggressive OPG treated by upfront chemotherapy. Our main objective was to describe the long-term endocrine sequelae in these patients and to identify potential early predictors of the endocrine involvement. Subjects and methods: Children diagnosed with OPG at an age younger than 16 years from the French multicentric BBSFOP registry were included. They were treated with upfront chemotherapy according to the BB-SFOP protocol in France between June 1990 and December 2004, and subsequent treatment (second-line chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy) was used depending on tumor progression. They underwent a late evaluation with clinical and biological assessment between January 2011 and March 2016. Results: One hundred and two patients were included in our study. The mean age at tumor diagnosis was 3.3±0.3 years. The mean time of follow-up was 13.9±3.7 years. A history of precocious puberty was present in 36% of the subjects. At least one endocrine deficiency was present in 93% of the subjects (GHD 74%, TSH deficiency 57%, ACTH deficiency 36%, hypogonadotropism 33%, gonadic deficiency 30%, diabetes insipidus 15%; inappropriate AVP secretion 7%). 37% of males and 39% of females were overweight or obese. Mean adult height, reached in 51 subjects, was -1.2±1.3 SDS in males, and -0.7±1.4 SDS in females. Chemotherapy only was protective from pituitary deficiencies (odds ratio 0.19 to 0.37, P &lt; 0.05). NF1 was protective from TSH and ACTH deficiencies (odds ratio 0.25 to 0.35, P &lt; 0.05). Tumor volume on diagnostic MRI was not predictive of pituitary deficiencies. Gonadic deficiency was significantly more frequent in males than females (46,5% vs 12.2%, P &lt; 0.05), and associated with chemotherapy only (OR 3.2, P &lt; 0.05) and NF1 (OR 4.8, P &lt; 0.05). Overweight/Obesity was associated with ACTH deficiency (OR 5, P &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Obesity and late endocrine dysfunction were frequent in subjects treated by upfront chemotherapy for aggressive OPG during childhood. However, chemotherapy only, when possible, was protective from pituitary involvement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-73
Author(s):  
M. G. Amirkhanian

Aim– to elucidate the role of antiepileptic pharmacotherapy in pathomorphosis of focal epilepsy in adult patients.Materials and methods. We examined 91 patients with focal epilepsy (main group, G); among them, 37 (41%) men (M) and 54 (59%) women (W). At the time of the first visit, 82 (90%) of  them [33 (89%) M and 49 (91%) W] were under antiepileptic therapy. The age of patients ranged  from 18 to 78 years (average 37.5 years). The debut of epilepsy was observed at the ages from 4  to 71 years. The duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 52 years, with the average of 16.1 years. All patients were then followed up for 1 to 2.5 years. Clinical and neurological examinations were  conducted in all patients; laboratory and instrumental diagnostic tests were used if indicated. The  medical history of patients was analyzed from the onset of epilepsy; if needed, new therapies were  prescribed or the existing therapies were modified. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed  using the data from the daily-seizures diary. The differences between the groups were tested for  their significance using the Chi-square test or the exact Fisher test if there were less than five  observations in the group. Results.Only 47 (52%) patients of group G [21 (57%) M and 26 (48%) W] received an antiepileptic therapy from the debut of the disease; the therapy was then adjusted in 41 (45%)  cases [19 (51%) M and 22 (41%) W (р>0.05)]. Of the 82 patients receiving therapy at the time of  examination, 37 (45%) received the basic, 20 (24%) – the updated, and 24 (29%) – a  combination of the basic and updated AED; in about 2% of cases, a combination with the 1st  generation drugs was prescribed. Monotherapy was used in 45 (55%), and polytherapy – in 37  (45%) patients. Of the 19 patients taking KBZ as the starting monotherapy, 10 (52%) received the drug in the non-prolonged form, twice a day. Relapse after long-term remission (12 months or  more) in 80% of cases was associated with changes in the AED regimen. Side effects were  observed in 43 (52%) patients under the treatment [15 (45%) M and 28 (57%) W]. Among those,  who underwent MRI examination, structural epileptogenic changes were detected in 37 (54%)  patients [21 (72%) M and 16 (40%) W (p<0.05)]. Comorbidity and the associated co-therapy were detected in 88% M and 90% W who were >50 years old.Conclusion. Antiepileptic pharmacotherapy is a leading factor that induces evolutionary changes in the clinical and neurophysiological picture of epilepsy. With a timely and rational approach, the  use of AED allows for creating favorable development of pathomorphosis of the disease. Full  patients awareness of the AED therapeutic regimens and the associated risks may increases the  compliance, reduce the risk of decompensation and improve the prognosis of epilepsy.


Author(s):  
PATHAN AMANULLA KHAN ◽  
SARAH NOUSHEEN BB ◽  
ASFIYA BEGUM ◽  
RAQSHAN JABEEN ◽  
YOUSUF HUSSAIN

Systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) is a rare form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) which manifests as quotidian fevers and arthritis in one or more joints. Features include characteristic salmon pink-colored rash associated with lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and serositis. To the best of our knowledge, this is a rare form of JIA in India and very few cases without multiorgan involvement have been published in literature. The following case reports a 12-year-old male child who presented to the hospital with a history of spiking fevers and arthritis in the knees, ankle, and hip joints. Diagnosis of SoJIA was confirmed after subsequent laboratory investigations; treatment included long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and methotrexate. However, due to increased cost of medicines and no guaranteed “cure” for the disease, the present patient switched from allopathic to homeopathic medicines. He still experiences frequent flare-ups associated with the disease, during which aceclofenac is taken for symptom relief. This case also highlights the importance of a “cure” for diseases rather than “symptom-oriented” treatment measures. When a cure is not guaranteed, patients may transition to inexpensive alternate therapies portraying limited efficacy. Further research in the field of rheumatology, specifically for rare diseases, is warranted.


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