Clinical Features and Predictors for Mortality in Neurolisteriosis: An Administrative Data-Based Study

Listeriosis is an uncommon and potentially severe zoonotic bacterial infection that usually occurs in outbreaks instead of isolated cases. In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of this disease. One of the most severe of its complications involves the central nervous system (CNS) in a condition known as neurolisteriosis. Here, we describe the demographic and clinical features of patients presenting with neurolisteriosis between 2001 and 2015 using administrative data and attempt to identify potential predictors for mortality. We used the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set at Hospitalization, a compulsory registry that collects data from clinical discharge reports. Up to 2015, data were coded based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, so we used diagnoses and clinical conditions based on these codes. Age, sex, clinical presentation, mortality, and involvement of the CNS were identified. Using algorithms to aggregate data, variables such as immunosuppression and malignant disease were obtained. We analyzed correlations among clinical features and identified risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Between 2001 and 2015 we identified 5180 individuals, with a hospitalization rate of 0.76 per 100,000 population. Most (94%) were adults, and only 5.4% were pregnant women. The average age was 66 years. Neurological involvement was present in 2313 patients (44.7%), mostly meningitis (90.4%). Global mortality was 17%, but mortality in CNS infections was 19.2%. Age, severe sepsis, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, and malignancy were the main risk factors for mortality in patients with CNS infections by Listeria monocytogenes. Although it is uncommon, neurolisteriosis can be a severe condition, associated with a high rate of mortality. Health care providers should be aware of potential sources of infection so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent it.

Download Full-text

Prevalence, risk factors and sources of anxiety among Emergency Department healthcare workers in Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic: A single center survey

Experimental Results ◽

10.1017/exp.2020.68 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

N. Haroon ◽

S. S. Owais ◽

A. S. Khan ◽

J. Amin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Work Performance ◽

Nonparametric Tests ◽

Care Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Frontline Workers

Summary COVID-19 has challenged the mental health of healthcare workers confronting it world-wide. Our study identifies the prevalence and risk of anxiety among emergency healthcare workers confronting COVID-19 in Pakistan. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an Emergency Department using the Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), and questions about sources of anxiety. Of 107 participants, 61.7% were frontline workers. The prevalence of anxiety was 50.5%. Nonparametric tests determined that nurses, younger and inexperienced staff, developed significant anxiety. Multivariate ordinal regression determined independent risk factors for developing anxiety were younger age (OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.89–4.99) and frontline placement (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.33–1.66). Significant sources of stress were fear of infecting family (P = 0.003), lack of social support when the health care providers were themselves unwell (P = 0.02) and feelings of inadequate work performance (P = 0.05). Our study finds that HCWs’ anxiety is considerable. Appropriate measures for its alleviation and prevention are required.

Download Full-text

Addressing Anxiety and Fear during the Female Pelvic Examination

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/2150132721992195 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272199219

Author(s):

Danielle J. O’Laughlin ◽

Brittany Strelow ◽

Nicole Fellows ◽

Elizabeth Kelsey ◽

Sonya Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Pelvic Examination ◽

Care Providers ◽

Emotional Symptoms ◽

Pelvic Examinations ◽

Anxiety And Fear

To review the anxiety and fear risk factors, pathophysiology, symptoms, screening and diagnosis while highlighting treatment considerations for women undergoing a pelvic examination. Methods: We reviewed the literature pertaining to anxiety and fear surrounding the pelvic examination to help guide health care providers’ on available screening options and to review options for individualized patient management. Results: Anxiety and fear are common before and during the pelvic examination. In fact, the pelvic exam is one of the most common anxiety-provoking medical procedures. This exam can provoke negative physical and emotional symptoms such as pain, discomfort, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and irritability. These negative symptoms can interfere with preventative health screening compliance resulting in delayed or avoided care and significant health consequences. Conclusion: Assessing women for anxiety related to pelvic examinations may help decrease a delay or avoidance of examinations. Risk factor and symptom identification is also a key component in this. General anxiety questionnaires can help identify women with anxiety related to pelvic examinations. Strategies to reduce anxiety, fear and pain during a pelvic examination should routinely be implemented, particularly in women with high-risk factors or those identified with screening techniques as having anxiety, fear or pain with examinations. Treatment options should be targeted at understanding the patient’s concerns, starting conversations about pelvic examinations early, educating patient’s about the examination and offering the presence of a chaperone or support person. During an examination providers should ensure the patient is comfortable, negative phrases are avoided, the correct speculum size is utilized and proper lubrication, draping, dressing and positioning are performed. Treating underlying gynecologic or mental health conditions, consideration of cognitive behavioral therapy and complementary techniques such as lavender aromatherapy and music therapy should also be considered when appropriate.

Download Full-text

Risk factors for glaucoma: what do they really mean?

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py10042 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 233 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Anthea Worley ◽

Karen Grimmer-Somers

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Care Providers ◽

Reference Guide ◽

Future Assessment ◽

Primary Health Care Providers ◽

Patient’S History

Glaucoma is an insidious eye disease, potentially putting 4% of older Australians at risk of blindness, unless detected sufficiently early for initiation of effective treatment. This paper reports on the strengths of evidence and glaucoma risk factors that can be identified by primary health care providers from a patient’s history. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed databases identified relevant secondary evidence published between 2002 and 2007. Risk factors that could be determined from a patient’s history were identified. A novel glaucoma risk factor reference guide was constructed according to evidence strength and level of concern regarding risk of developing glaucoma. The evidence is strong and consistent regarding the risk of developing glaucoma, and elevated intraocular pressure, advancing age, non-Caucasian ethnicity and family history of glaucoma. There is moderate evidence of association with glaucoma, and migraine, eye injury, myopia and long-term use of corticosteroids. There is conflicting evidence for living in a rural location, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. Early detection of people at risk of developing glaucoma can be initiated using our risk factor guide coupled with a comprehensive patient history. Timely future assessment and subsequent management strategies for at-risk individuals can then be effectively and efficiently actioned.

Download Full-text

Intrinsic Muscle Strain in the Instrumentalist

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2005.2013 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 66-69

Author(s):

William J Dawson

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Musical Instruments ◽

Care Providers ◽

Muscle Strain ◽

Intrinsic Muscle ◽

Forearm Muscles ◽

Stringed Instruments ◽

Hand Involvement ◽

Intrinsic Muscles

The playing of many musical instruments is performed principally by the small intrinsic muscles of the hands. Practice records were reviewed to investigate the epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors for intrinsic muscle strain. Fifty-one instrumentalists were found, out of 129 having strains of all hand and forearm muscles. These 51 comprised 15.5% of all 329 musicians seen for overuse-related conditions. The patient ages ranged from 10 to 72 years; 20 were male. Forty-one of the 51 played keyboard or stringed instruments; 11 of the 19 stringed instruments were bowed. Twenty-one patients were professionals or university/conservatory music students. Sixty percent of strains were caused by playing music, with slightly more than half being in the professional/collegiate cohort. Pianists were more likely to experience right hand involvement. Seven patients had bilateral intrinsic strains. Thirteen experienced concomitant strains of the extrinsic forearm muscles, either on the same side or bilaterally with bilateral intrinsic strains. Treatment followed standard principles, with hand rest prescribed in 12, musical practice changes in 19, activity modification in 30, and formal exercises/hand therapy in 23. Nonsteroidal medication was prescribed in 17 cases. The data suggest that intrinsic muscle strains related to overuse follow the same etiologic and anatomic patterns as other upper extremity muscle strain and pain syndromes and have the same risk factors. Health care providers should be aware of the role of the hand intrinsic muscles in playing musical instruments and their propensity for overuse-related strain syndromes from both musical and nonmusical activities.

Download Full-text

Delirium and Antipsychotic Medications at Hospital Intake: Screening to Decrease Likelihood of Aggression in Inpatient Settings Among Unknown Patients With Dementia

American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® ◽

10.1177/1533317518809345 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 118-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tracy Wharton ◽

Daniel Paulson ◽

Kimberly Burcher ◽

Heather Lesch

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Quality Of Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Antipsychotic Medication ◽

Care Providers ◽

Antipsychotic Medications ◽

Inpatient Settings ◽

Logistic Regressions

For individuals with dementia, disorientation and both external and internal stimuli may trigger behaviors that are difficult to manage or dangerous to health-care providers. Identification of correlational risk factors to aggressive behavior in patients who are unknown to the hospital can allow providers to adapt patient care quickly. Records for patients aged 60+ who spent at least 24 hours at the hospital other than in the psychiatric unit were used (N = 14 080). The first 4000 records and every 10th person who met criteria (N = 5008) were searched for documentation of dementia (n = 505). Logistic regressions and χ2 tests were used to examine relationships between variables. Recognition of delirium ( P = .014, Exp(B) = 2.53), coupled with an existing prescription for antipsychotic medication at intake ( P < .001, Exp(B) < 4.37), may be a reliable means of screening for risk and intervening at the earliest possible contact, improving quality of care and safety in acute care for individuals with dementia.

Download Full-text

Pattern of the Antimalarials Prescription during Pregnancy in Bangui, Central African Republic

Malaria Research and Treatment ◽

10.4061/2011/414510 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alexandre Manirakiza ◽

Georges Soula ◽

Remi Laganier ◽

Elise Klement ◽

Djibrine Djallé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Central African Republic ◽

First Trimester ◽

High Rate ◽

Care Providers ◽

National Guidelines ◽

Artemisinin Derivatives ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

Antenatal Clinics

Introduction. The aim of this study was to identify the antimalarials prescribed during the pregnancy and to document their timing. Method. From June to September 2009, a survey was conducted on 565 women who gave birth in the Castors maternity in Bangui. The antenatal clinics cards were checked in order to record the types of antimalarials prescribed during pregnancy according to gestational age. Results. A proportion of 28.8% ANC cards contained at least one antimalarial prescription. The commonest categories of antimalarials prescribed were: quinine (56.7%), artemisinin-based combinations (26.8%) and artemisinin monotherapy (14.4%). Among the prescriptions that occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy, artemisinin-based combinations and artemisinin monotherapies represented the proportions of (10.9%) and (13.3%). respectively. Conclusion. This study showed a relatively high rate (>80%) of the recommended antimalarials prescription regarding categories of indicated antimalarials from national guidelines. But, there is a concern about the prescription of the artemisinin derivatives in the first trimester of pregnancy, and the prescription of artemisinin monotherapy. Thus, the reinforcement of awareness activities of health care providers on the national malaria treatment during pregnancy is suggested.

Download Full-text

A Model of Risk Reduction for Older Adults Vulnerable to Nursing Home Placement

Research and Theory for Nursing Practice ◽

10.1891/1541-6577.28.2.162 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 162-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Janice L. Palmer ◽

Joanne C. Langan ◽

Jean Krampe ◽

Mary Krieger ◽

Rebecca A. Lorenz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Nursing Home Placement ◽

Nursing Home Care ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

Care Providers ◽

Home Placement

Because of the cost of nursing home care and desire of older adults to stay in their homes, it is important for health care providers to understand the factors that place older adults at risk for nursing home placement. This integrative review of 12 years of research, as published in 148 articles, explores the risk factors for nursing home placement of older adults. Using the framework of the vulnerable populations conceptual model developed by Flaskerud and Winslow (1998), we explored factors related to resource availability, relative risks, and health status. Important factors include socioeconomic status, having a caregiver, the availability and use of home- and community-based support services, race, acute illness particularly if hospitalization is required, medications, dementia, multiple chronic conditions, functional disability, and falls. Few intervention studies were identified. Development of evidence-based interventions and creation of policies to address modifiable risk factors are important next steps.

Download Full-text

Influencing Factors for Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage and Early Detection of Women at Risk in The Northern Province of Rwanda: Beneficiary and Health Worker Perspectives

10.21203/rs.3.rs-30568/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Oliva Bazirete ◽

Manassé Nzayirambaho ◽

Aline Umubyeyi ◽

Marie Chantal Uwimana ◽

Evans Marilyn

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Early Detection ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Northern Province ◽

Care Providers ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Childbearing Women

Abstract Background: Reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity is a major global health priority. However, much remains unknown regarding factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among childbearing women in the Rwandan context. The aim of this study is to explore the influencing factors for prevention of PPH and early detection of women at risk as perceived by beneficiaries and health workers in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Methods: A qualitative descriptive exploratory study was drawn from a larger sequential exploratory‐mixed methods study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 11 women who experienced PPH within the 6 months prior to interview. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted with: women’s partners or close relatives (2 focus groups), community health workers (CHWs) in charge of maternal health (2 focus groups) and health care providers (3 focus groups). A socio ecological model was used to develop interview guides to describe factors related to early detection and prevention of PPH in consideration of individual attributes, interpersonal, family and peer influences, intermediary determinants of health and structural determinants. The research protocol was approved by the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Institutional Ethics Review Board. Results: We generated four interrelated themes: (1) Meaning of PPH: beliefs, knowledge and understanding of PPH: (2) Organizational factors; (3) Caring and family involvement and (4) Perceived risk factors and barriers to PPH prevention. The findings from this study indicate that PPH was poorly understood by women and their partners. Family members and CHWs feel that their role for the prevention of PPH is to get the woman to the health facility on time. The main factors associated with PPH as described by participants were multiparty and retained placenta. Low socioeconomic status and delays to access health care were identified as the main barriers for the prevention of PPH. Conclusions: Addressing the identified factors could enhance early prevention of PPH among childbearing women. Placing emphasis on developing strategies for early detection of women at higher risk of developing PPH, continuous professional development of health care providers, developing educational materials for CHWs and family members could improve the prevention of PPH. Involvement of all levels of the health system was recommended for a proactive prevention of PPH. Further quantitative research, using case control design is warranted to develop a screening tool for early detection of PPH risk factors for a proactive prevention.

Download Full-text

Infection risk and prophylaxis in patients with lymphoid cancer

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.2019003687 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nancy Law ◽

Randy A. Taplitz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Treatment Approach ◽

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis ◽

Cancer Therapeutics ◽

Infection Risk ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Care Providers ◽

Additional Risk ◽

Common Cause

Infections are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with lymphoid cancer. With evolving cancer therapeutics, including new targeted and immunotherapies, clinicians need to be aware of additional risk factors and infections that may arise in patients treated with these agents. This "How I Treat" article will highlight fundamental issues including risk factors for infection, infectious diseases screenings and antimicrobial prophylaxis recommendations in patients with lymphoid cancers. We present 4 scenarios of patients with lymphoid cancers with varied infections and describe a treatment approach based on a combination of evidence-based data and experience, as there are limitations in objective infection data especially with newer agents. The goal of this discussion is to provide a framework for institutions and health care providers to develop their own approach in preventing and treating infections in patients with lymphoid cancer.

Download Full-text