scholarly journals Inadequacies of glucocorticoid replacement and improvements by physiological circadian therapy

2009 ◽  
Vol 160 (5) ◽  
pp. 719-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Debono ◽  
Richard J Ross ◽  
John Newell-Price
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Dose Range ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Oral Formulations ◽  
Metabolic Bone ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Few Data

Patients with adrenal insufficiency need lifelong glucocorticoid replacement, but many suffer from poor quality of life, and overall there is increased mortality. Moreover, it appears that use of glucocorticoids at the higher end of the replacement dose range is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic bone disease. These data highlight some of the inadequacies of current regimes.The cortisol production rate is estimated to be equivalent to 5.7–7.4 mg/m2per day, and a major difficulty for replacement regimes is the inability to match the distinct circadian rhythm of circulating cortisol levels, which are low at the time of sleep onset, rise between 0200 and 0400 h, peaking just after waking and then fall during the day. Another issue is that current dose equivalents of glucocorticoids used for replacement are based on anti-inflammatory potency, and few data exist as to doses needed for equivalent cardiovascular and bone effects. Weight-adjusted, thrice-daily dosing using hydrocortisone (HC) reduces glucocorticoid overexposure and represents the most refined regime for current oral therapy, but does not replicate the normal cortisol rhythm. Recently, proof-of-concept studies have shown that more physiological circadian glucocorticoid therapy using HC infusions and newly developed oral formulations of HC have the potential for better biochemical control in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Whether such physiological replacement will have an impact on the complications seen in patients with adrenal insufficiency will need to be analysed in future clinical trials.

Fatigue: Has It Affected Your Compassion?

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 289-293
Author(s):  
Bobbi S. Greiner ◽  
Gail A. Poskey
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Job Dissatisfaction ◽  
Job Turnover ◽  
Additional Stress ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractCompassion fatigue is a concept used to describe how various stressors affect individuals who work in health care and other caregiving professions. The results of compassion fatigue may include decreased work productivity, poor quality of care, safety concerns, job dissatisfaction, and job turnover. The NICU professionals are at an increased risk for experiencing compassion fatigue because of the nature of working with critically ill infants, their families, and the additional stress of the workplace. The purpose of this article is for the NICU professional to understand compassion fatigue, identify the risk factors, recognize the signs and symptoms, and offer strategies to implement within the NICU environment.

Hemodialysis Patients with Pruritus and Insomnia Have Increased Risk of Death

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-425
Author(s):  
Olga Hilda Orasan ◽  
Flaviu Muresan ◽  
Augustin Mot ◽  
Adela Sitar Taut ◽  
Iulia Minciuna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Study Groups ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Survival Difference ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Laboratory Features ◽  
Impact On Survival

Background: Pruritus and insomnia are common disorders in hemodialysis (HD) patients, with a major clinical impact as they are associated with poor quality of life and increased mortality. Their coexistence and impact on survival in HD patients have rarely been investigated. Our aim is to investigate the survival of HD patients presenting either none, one, or both disorders and to compare certain features between these groups. Methods: After the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 170 patients treated by HD or online hemodiafiltration were assigned in 4 study groups depending on the presence of either, neither, or both pruritus and insomnia. We analyzed the survival difference between groups after 20 months, and we searched if there were significant differences in terms of clinical and laboratory features. Results: Survival at 20 months was lower in patients with both pruritus and insomnia. Patients with pruritus alone had a lower Kt/V than those with no complaints or insomnia alone. Those with no complaints had lower C-reactive protein and higher albumin levels than patients with insomnia alone or both conditions. Conclusion: Pruritus and insomnia should be actively investigated and correlated with some clinical and laboratory features as they have a significant impact on survival in HD patients.

scholarly journals Vulnerability in the elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-67
Author(s):  
Ana Popescu ◽  
◽  
Gabriela Soric ◽  
Victoria Federiuc ◽  
Vitalie Ojovanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Important Target ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Assessment Measures ◽  
Cognitive Problems

Background: Aging process involves an increased risk for the development of vulnerability, because senescence is a process characterized by a multitude of changes that influence the living conditions and health of the individuals. In geriatrics, the term “vulnerability” implies a multidimensional aspect, among which, multimorbidity, functional incapacity, socio-economic and cognitive problems in the elderly. The main objective of the article is to systematize data from the literature through the analysis of the concept and prevalence of vulnerability, assessed by the score Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) in the elderly. For this purpose, publications from the database GoogleSearch, PubMed, Hinari, etc. were analyzed. The information was systematized, highlighting the main aspects of the contemporary vision of the last 5 years.A series of studies (USA, Brazil, etc.) revealed a high prevalence of vulnerability in the elderly according to the VES-13 score, it was estimated in respondents aged > 65 years, between 40-50% of cases were vulnerable people, with a score ≥ 3 p. The vulnerability of the elderly results from different conditions, correlated with each other, especially biological, social and genetic factors. There was a functional decline between 13 and 24% of cases, especially in the elderly over 75 years, and an association with health problems, mobility and low autonomy in over 50% of cases, with a poor quality of life and increased risk of institutionalization. Conclusions: Vulnerability assessment measures are important for identifying older people at high risk of deteriorating health, which is an important target for interdisciplinary intervention.

Age, cancer site and gender associations with symptoms and problems in specialised palliative care: a large, nationwide, register-based study

2019 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2019-001880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiken Bang Hansen ◽  
Lone Ross ◽  
Morten Aagaard Petersen ◽  
Mogens Groenvold
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Cancer Site ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Gender

BackgroundPatients referred to specialised palliative care are troubled by symptoms/problems, but more knowledge is needed on the level and frequency of symptoms/problems. It is also uncertain how gender, age and cancer diagnosis, respectively, are associated with symptoms/problems.AimsTo describe symptoms/problems in patients with cancer at the start of specialised palliative care, and to study how age, gender and cancer diagnosis were associated with symptoms/problems.DesignA register-based study including data from the Danish Palliative Care Database.Setting/ParticipantsPatients with cancer who reported their symptoms/problems using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionaire-Core-15-Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) at the start of specialised palliative care were included. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to test if gender, age and cancer diagnosis were associated with each symptom/problem.Results31 771 patients with cancer were included in the study. The most prevalent and severe symptoms/problems were pain, appetite loss, fatigue, poor physical function and poor quality of life. Gender, age and cancer diagnosis were significantly associated with most symptoms/problems. The strongest associations between symptoms/problems and gender and age, respectively, were increased risk of nausea in women, as well as increased risk of poor physical function and reduced risk of sleeplessness and pain with increasing age. Patients with brain/central nervous system cancer had the lowest risk of symptoms but the highest risk of poor physical function.ConclusionAt the start of specialised palliative care, patients with cancer experience severe levels of symptoms, poor physical function and poor quality of life. Age, gender and diagnosis were significantly associated with most symptoms/problems, but the strength and direction of the associations differed across symptoms/problems.

scholarly journals Is physiological glucocorticoid replacement important in children?

2016 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Porter ◽  
Joanne Blair ◽  
Richard J Ross
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

Cortisol has a distinct circadian rhythm with low concentrations at night, rising in the early hours of the morning, peaking on waking and declining over the day to low concentrations in the evening. Loss of this circadian rhythm, as seen in jetlag and shift work, is associated with fatigue in the short term and diabetes and obesity in the medium to long term. Patients with adrenal insufficiency on current glucocorticoid replacement with hydrocortisone have unphysiological cortisol concentrations being low on waking and high after each dose of hydrocortisone. Patients with adrenal insufficiency complain of fatigue, a poor quality of life and there is evidence of poor health outcomes including obesity potentially related to glucocorticoid replacement. New technologies are being developed that deliver more physiological glucocorticoid replacement including hydrocortisone by subcutaneous pump, Plenadren, a once-daily modified-release hydrocortisone and Chronocort, a delayed and sustained absorption hydrocortisone formulation that replicates the overnight profile of cortisol. In this review, we summarise the evidence regarding physiological glucocorticoid replacement with a focus on relevance to paediatrics.

scholarly journals Care of the Liver Transplant Patient

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamatha Bhat ◽  
Said A Al-Busafi ◽  
Marc Deschênes ◽  
Peter Ghali
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplant ◽  
Transplant Patient ◽  
Keywords Liver Transplantation ◽  
Metabolic Complications ◽  
Transplant Patients ◽  
Medical Issues ◽  
Metabolic Bone ◽  
Increased Risk

OBJECTIVE: To provide an approach to the care of liver transplant (LT) patients, a growing patient population with unique needs.METHODS: A literature search of PubMed for guidelines and review articles using the keywords “liver transplantation”, “long term complications” and “medical management” was conducted, resulting in 77 articles.RESULTS: As a result of being on immunosuppression, LT recipients are at increased risk of infections and must be screened regularly for metabolic complications and malignancies.DISCUSSION: Although immunosuppression is key to maintaining allograft health after transplantation, it comes with its own set of medical issues to follow. Physicians following LT recipients must be aware of the greater risk for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, renal failure, metabolic bone disease and malignancies in these patients, all of whom require regular monitoring and screening. Vaccination, quality of life, sexual function and pregnancy must be specifically addressed in transplant patients.

scholarly journals Biosocial and disease conditions affecting the quality of life among older adults in Eastern Nepal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Tarka Bahadur Thapa ◽  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
Saruna Ghimire ◽  
Godfred O. Boateng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Lower Likelihood

Abstract Background The ageing population in most low-and middle-income countries is accompanied by an increased risk of non-communicable diseases culminating in a poor quality of life. However, the factors accelerating this poor quality of life (QOL) have not been fully examined. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing the quality of life of Nepali older adults.Methods Data from a previous cross-sectional study, conducted between January and April 2018 in eastern Nepal, was used. The analytical sample included 794 older adults aged ≥60 years, selected by a multi-stage cluster sampling approach. QOL was measured using the Older People’s Quality of Life tool; dichotomized as poor and good QOL. Other measures used included age, gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, physical activity and chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and depression. The factors associated with quality of life were examined using mixed-effects logistic regression.Results Seven in ten respondents (70.4%) reported a poor quality of life. At the bivariate level, increasing age, unemployment, intake of alcohol, lack of physical activity as well as osteoarthritis, COPD and depression were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of a good quality of life. The adjusted model showed that older age (AOR=0.50, p<0.05), the Christian religion (AOR=0.38, p<0.01), and being from an Indigenous, Dalit, or Madheshi background were associated with a lower likelihood of good quality of life. However, higher income of >Nrs 10,000 (AOR=3.34, p<0.001), daily physical activity (AOR=3.33, p<0.001), and the absence of osteoarthritis and depression were associated with a higher odds ratio of good quality of life.Conclusion The findings of this study echo the need to develop and implement policies aimed at improving the socio-cultural and disease conditions that catalyse poor quality of life in this population.

scholarly journals Poor quality of life and sleep in patients with adrenal insufficiency—another cause of increased mortality?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje K. Blacha ◽  
Peter Kropp ◽  
Amir H. Rahvar ◽  
Jörg Flitsch ◽  
Iris van de Loo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Duration Of Therapy ◽  
Impaired Sleep

Abstract Background Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) are treated with glucocorticoid replacement therapy (GRT). Although current glucocorticoid regimens aim to mimic the physiological circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion, temporary phases of hypo- and hypercortisolism are common undesired effects which lead to a variety of consequences like increased cardiovascular risk and premature mortality. Additionally, poor quality of life (QoL) and impaired sleep have been reported. However, little is known about these topics regarding the effects of daily dosage, duration of therapy, and patients with different forms of AI (primary, PAI, and secondary, SAI). Methods In this study, 40 adults with AI substituted with hydrocortisone (HC) and 20 matched healthy controls completed questionnaires evaluating depressive symptoms, subjective health status, quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, demographic data, dosage of HC, duration of therapy and co-medication were evaluated. Patients were compared in different groups. Results Patients assessed general health significantly worse than controls; likewise, daytime sleepiness was reported significantly more often. Depressive symptoms differed significantly in the two groups but did not reach clinically relevant scores. There was no difference between patients with PAI and SAI. High dosage of hydrocortisone had negative impact on mental health but not on sleep quality or daytime sleepiness. Conclusions The present data highlight that poor QoL and impaired sleep are still severe and underrated issues in current GRT and might be additional factors for premature mortality in patients with AI. Some AI patients reach normal or near-normal self-assessed QoL and sleep, even despite unphysiological replacement.

scholarly journals Rational Approach to Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Wirrell
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Rational Approach ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Drug Resistant Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders to affect children, and has its highest incidence in infancy. Approximately one-quarter of children have seizures which are drug-resistant, and place the child at increased risk of cognitive delays, attention, behavior and psychiatric disorders, injury, sudden unexpected death and poor quality of life. This article presents a rational approach to the investigation and management of children with drug-resistant epilepsy.    

scholarly journals Risk of cytomegalovirus reactivation in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases undergoing biologic treatment: a real matter?

Reumatismo ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mencarini ◽  
M. Spinicci ◽  
F. Bartalesi
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Good Control ◽  
Cmv Infection ◽  
Biologic Treatment ◽  
Cytomegalovirus Reactivation ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Cmv Reactivation

The use of biological agents has grown exponentially in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), often achieving a good control of disease progression and improving patients’ quality of life. However, their use resulted in an increased risk of adverse events, including reactivation of chronic/latent infectious diseases. As for the risk of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, very few data are available. We reviewed the literature reporting cases of CMV infection in IMID patients during biological therapy. Although the risk of CMV reactivation cannot be excluded, we concluded that there is no evidence to warrant CMV screening before starting a biological agent.

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