scholarly journals Client satisfaction and experience of home use of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion up to 10 weeks’ gestation at British Pregnancy Advisory Service: a cross-sectional evaluation

Author(s):  
Marielle Meurice ◽  
Katherine Whitehouse ◽  
Rebecca Blaylock ◽  
Jenny Chang ◽  
Patricia Lohr

Objective: Evaluate satisfaction and experience with telemedicine and home use of mifepristone and misoprostol for abortion to 10 weeks’ gestation. Design: Cross-sectional evaluation. Setting: British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinics in England and Wales. Population: 1,144 clients who used mifepristone and misoprostol at home from 11 May to 10 July 2020. Methods: We sent a text message with a link to a web-survey 2-3 weeks after treatment. Questions evaluated satisfaction and experiences, including telephone consultations and provision of medicines by post or collection from clinic. We used bivariate and multivariate regression to explore associations between client characteristics and outcomes. Main Outcome Measures: Overall satisfaction (5-point Likert scale) and reported contact with a healthcare provider (HCP). Results: Respondents primarily described home use of medications as ‘straightforward’ (75.8%) and most were ‘very satisfied’ (78.3%) or ‘satisfied’ (18.6%) with their overall experience. Being ‘very satisfied’ was associated with parity (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.09-2.14) and pain control satisfaction (aOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.44-3.44). HCP contact was reported by 14.7%; mainly to BPAS’ telephone aftercare service (76.8%). Dissatisfaction with pain control (aOR 3.62 95% CI 1.79-7.29) and waiting >1 week to use mifepristone (aOR3.71, 95% CI 1.48-9.28) were associated with HCP contact. If needed in future, most (77.8%) would prefer home use of mifepristone and misoprostol and pills by post (68.9%). Conclusions: Satisfaction with home use of mifepristone and misoprostol is high. Most clients do not need HCP support during or after home use, but aftercare should be available.

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942110254
Author(s):  
Eric J. Formeister ◽  
Ricky Chae ◽  
Emily Wong ◽  
Whitney Chiao ◽  
Lauren Pasquesi ◽  
...  

Objectives: To elucidate differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between patients with episodic and chronic dizziness. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study of 217 adults referred for dizziness at 1 tertiary center was undertaken. Subjects were split into a chronic dizziness group (>15 dizzy days per month) and an episodic dizziness group (<15 dizzy days per month). Results: 217 adults (average age, 53.7 years; 56.7% female) participated. One-third (n = 74) met criteria for chronic dizziness. Dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores were significantly higher in those with chronic dizziness compared to those with episodic dizziness (53.9 vs 40.7; P < .001). Comorbid depression and anxiety were more prevalent in those with chronic dizziness (44.6% and 47.3% vs 37.8% and 35.7%, respectively; P > .05). Abnormal vestibular testing and abnormal imaging studies did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Ménière’s disease and BPPV were significantly more common among those with episodic dizziness, while the prevalence of vestibular migraine did not differ according to chronicity of symptoms. A multivariate regression that included age, sex, DHI, history of anxiety and/or depression, associated symptoms, and dizziness triggers was able to account for 15% of the variance in the chronicity of dizziness (pseudo- R2 = 0.15; P < .001). Conclusions: Those who suffer from chronic dizziness have significantly higher DHI and high comorbid rates of depression and anxiety than those with episodic dizziness. Our findings show that factors other than diagnosis alone are important in the chronification of dizziness, an observation that could help improve on multimodal treatment options for this group of patients.


The Lancet ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 398 ◽  
pp. S11
Author(s):  
Mohammad N Alswerki ◽  
Abdallah Alwali ◽  
Alaa Al-aqad ◽  
Mahmoud Hamouda ◽  
Saad Al massri ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17000-e17000
Author(s):  
Joon Yau Leong ◽  
Ruben Pinkhasov ◽  
Thenappan Chandrasekar ◽  
Oleg Shapiro ◽  
Michael Daneshvar ◽  
...  

e17000 Background: Disabled patients are a unique minority population that may have lower literacy levels and difficulty communicating with physicians. Furthermore, their knowledge for cancer prevention recommendations is unknown. Herein, we aim to compare prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing rates and associated predictors among disabled men and non-disabled men in the USA. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study utilizing the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to analyze factors predicting PSA testing rates in men with disabilities (disabled, deaf, blind). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine clinically significant predictors of PSA testing in men with disabilities compared to that of the healthy cohort. Results: A total of 782 (14.6%) disabled men were compared to 4,569 (85.4%) non-disabled men. Disabled men were older with a mean age of 65.0 ± 14.2 vs. 55.0 ± 15.9 years (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, after adjusting for all available confounders including race, age, geographical region, survey year, marital status, health insurance, healthcare provider, amongst others, men with any disability were less likely to undergo PSA screening (OR 0.772, 95% CI 0.623-0.956, p = 0.018). Variables associated with increased PSA screening rates included age, having a healthcare provider or health insurance, and living with a partner. Although prostate cancer detection rates were shown to be higher among disabled men, this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Our data suggests that significant inequalities in PSA screening exist among men with disabilities in the USA, with disabled men, especially the deaf and the blind, being less likely to be offered PSA screening. There is a clear need to implement strategies to reduce existing gaps in the care of disabled men and strive to reach equality in PSA screening in this unique population.


2020 ◽  
pp. 75-82
Author(s):  
Minh Nguyen Thanh ◽  
Tam Vo

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between bone density and osteoporosis with some clinical and subclinical factors in patients with dialysis chronic kidney patients. Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, include 163 patients with dialysis chronic kidney disease, from January 2017 to December 2018 at the Department of Haemodyalysis, District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Results: Bone density was negatively correlated with age at the lumbar spine (LS) (r = - 0.225), total hip (total H) (r = - 0.288), femoral neck (FN) (r = - 0.352); with urea at the total H (r = - 0.206), FN (r = - 0.194); with PTH at LS (r = - 0.266), total H (r = - 0.219), FN (r = - 0.168); with β2 Microglobulin at the LS (r = - 0.269). Bone density was positively correlated with glomerular filtration rate at the LS (r = 0.200), FN (r = 0.179); with vitamin D at the LS (r = 0.218) and total H (r = 0.179). Multivariate regression analysis of the risk of decreased bone density at the FN has 2 factors: age (OR = 1.117), PTH (OR = 1.001); at the LS, there are 3 factors: gender (OR = 4.572), PTH (OR=4.078), age (OR = 1.045); at the total H, there are 2 factors: PTH (OR = 3.683), age (OR = 1.117). Osteoporosis in all 3 positions was related to sex (p < 0.05) and age group (p < 0.01). Osteoporosis was associated with PTH, Phosphorus, Aluminum disorders at the FN (p < 0.05), with PTH at the LS (p < 0.05), with PTH, calcium at the total H (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis of the risk of osteoporosis has 3 factors: age (OR = 4.058), PTH (OR = 2.967), female (OR = 2.841). Conclusion: Bone density, osteoporosis is correlated, associated with common factors and factors associated with bone mineral disorders in patients with dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD - MBD). Key words: End-stage chronic kidney disease, dialysis, bone density


Author(s):  
Agnes T. Masango- Makgobela ◽  
Indiran Govender ◽  
John V. Ndimande

Background: Many patients move from one healthcare provider or facility to another, disturbing the continuity that enhances holistic patient care.Objectives: To investigate the reasons given by patients for attending Karen Park Clinic rather than the clinic nearest to their homes.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during 2010. Three hundred and fifty patients attending Karen Park Clinic were given questionnaires to complete, with the following variables: place of residence; previous attendance at the clinic nearest their home; services available at their nearest clinic; and their willingness to attend their nearest clinic in future.Results: Respondents were from Soshanguve (153; 43.7%), Mabopane (92; 26.3%), Garankuwa (29; 8.3%) and Hebron (20; 5.7%) and most were women (271; 77.4%) aged 26–45 (177; 50.6%). Eighty per cent (281) of the patients had visited their nearest clinic previously and 54 of these (19.2%) said they would not return. The reasons for this were: long waiting time (88; 25.1%); long queues (84; 24%); rude staff (60; 17%); and no medication (39; 11.1%).Conclusion: The majority of patients who had attended their nearest clinic were adamant that they would not return. It is necessary to reduce waiting times, thus reducing long queues. This can be achieved by having adequate, satisfied healthcare providers to render a quality service and by organising training for management. Patients can thus be redirected to their nearest clinic and the health centre’s capacity can be increased by procuring adequate drugs. There is a need to follow up on patients’ complaints about staff attitudes.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Shahid Iqbal ◽  
Salah-Ud-Din Khan ◽  
Eldowaik Mohamed Salah Saad ◽  
Muhammad Zahid Iqbal

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of ALS among students in a university in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional and observational study was performed among the students of three different healthcare provider faculties (Medical, Pharmacy and Dental) in a university with the help of pre-validated research questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 24.0 was used to analyze and present the data. Results: A total of 268 university students from three faculties participated in the current study. The medical faculty students and final year students had more appropriate knowledge towards the ALS. Conclusion: Overall appropriate knowledge was observed among the studied faculty students. The present study concluded that medical students had adequate knowledge of ALS than the other two faculty students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24078-e24078
Author(s):  
Harold Nathan C. Tan ◽  
Rogelio Nona Velasco ◽  
Lance Isidore Garcenila Catedral ◽  
Michael Ducusin San Juan ◽  
Corazon Ngelangel ◽  
...  

e24078 Background: Pain is one of the most common and dreaded sequelae of cancer, occurring in approximately 55% of patients. The experience of pain takes a toll on the patients’ quality of life. However, many patients do not receive adequate pain management. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pain, its severity, and the adequacy of pain management among cancer patients in the Philippines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a representative cancer center in the Philippines, enrolling 351 cancer patients. Pain severity was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) Filipino. The BPI evaluates pain severity and its impact on daily functioning (pain interference). To ascertain the adequacy of pain control, the pain management index (PMI) was calculated by subtracting the subtracting the severity of pain reported by the patient from the type of analgesic treatment received. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with worst pain and adequacy of pain management. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Three hundred three cancer patients (86.3%) experienced pain. Approximately 3 out of 5 patients (n = 208) did not receive adequate pain control, and one-third of patients experienced severe pain (n = 121). Patients who reported severe pain interference (n = 110) had three times greater odds to experience severe pain (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.82-5.61, p < 0.001). Those patients who had regular follow up were 65% less likely to experience severe pain (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16 – 0.78, p = 0.01). Patients who used pain medications (n = 196) were 14 times more likely to experience adequate pain management (OR 14.19, 95% CI 6.53 – 30.83, p < 0.001). Patients who were referred to pain service (n = 25) were seven times more likely to report adequate pain control (OR 6.62, 95% CI 2.50 – 17.56, p < 0.001). Conversely, those patients who reported a severe rating on total pain interference were 75% less likely to experience adequate pain management (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.17 – 0.35, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Unexpectedly, there was a high prevalence of pain among cancer patients at a representative cancer center in the Philippines. Pain exerts a heavy toll on patients, affecting daily functioning. The undertreatment of pain discovered in this study (59% of cancer patients) is alarming. Timely pain evaluation can help identify the presence of pain and the need for appropriate use of analgesics. The assessment and management of pain is a critical component of cancer care that should not be neglected.


Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohan Thanikachalam ◽  
Shasha Bai ◽  
Vijayakumar Harivanzan ◽  
Ragavendra R Baliga ◽  
William T Abraham ◽  
...  

Background Arterial stiffness assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate how various measures of obesity affect arterial stiffness. Methods We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in 8,042 South Indians above the age of 20 years. Following completion of a detailed medical history questionnaire, all participants underwent haemodynamic screening including brachial and central blood pressure, and PWV measurements using a high-fidelity applanation tonometry. The study included anthropometric measurements and fasting blood for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and blood glucose (BG) levels. After the exclusion of people with previous history of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia on drug therapy, 5,841 subjects (mean age 41.6 years; 58% women) constituted the study sample Results In an univariate analysis, PWV correlated positively with age, mean blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), body fat percent (BF%), TC, TG, LDL and BG levels (P <0.001) and negatively with HDL levels (P=0.005). In a multivariate regression analysis, majority of the PWV variability in the model was accounted for by MAP and age, (cumulative adjusted R2 change of 32.79% as compared to the total adjusted R2 change of 35.25%). However, BMI (β= 0.042; adjusted R2 change=2.83%; p<0.001) independently correlated with PWV and its contribution to the PWV variability was far more significant compared to LDL, BG and TG (cumulative adjusted R2 change=1.08%). Multivariate regression analysis using the WC, WHR, or BF% instead of the BMI continued to demonstrate a significant independent effect of obesity parameters on PWV. Conclusion: In a large a population-based cross-sectional survey the study demonstrates a positive, independent association between obesity parameters and increased arterial stiffness.


Author(s):  
Angela Hua

Pediatric sedation is a useful tool in the emergency department to help safely manage patients’ pain and anxiety, while performing necessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. As sedation is not entirely without risk, the healthcare provider may try alternative methods, such as distraction and pain control, prior to resorting to sedation. However, when those methods are inadequate, sedation may be necessary. There are a number of factors to keep in mind to safely conduct a sedation in the emergency setting. This chapter covers the candidacy of pediatric patients for sedation, the monitoring during and after sedation, and some of the commonly used agents for a short sedation.


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