How Did Prenatal Education Impact Women’s Perception of Pregnancy and Postnatal Life in a Romanian Population

Background and Objectives: Prenatal education represents an important part of maternal prenatal care in Western countries. In Romania, prenatal education is of recent interest but there is no official information about prenatal courses and their impact on prenatal care and patients in Romania. Material and methods: A prospective study based on the STROBE statement was designed in order to assess the prenatal education delivered in our unit. The study group included women who gave birth at Bucur Maternity, “Saint. John” Hospital, Bucharest, Romania and attended the prenatal courses, compared with a control group (women who gave birth in our unit but did not attend the prenatal lecture). Patients’ perception about the impact of prenatal education was collected by applying a questionnaire. Results: The analysis included 89 women who fulfilled the questionnaire online. In our study, 62 women (69.7%) attended the prenatal education classes and represented the study group while 27 women (30.3%) constituted the control group. Women who attended the prenatal lecture recognized the utility of the topic regarding newborn care (90.3%), while women from the control group did not consider it useful (n = 55.6%), χ2 = 18.412, p < 0.001. Patients from the study group admitted the importance of the topics (93.5%) from the lectures about breast feeding, while the percentage of these women from the control group is significantly lower (55.6%) χ2 = 27.867, p < 0.001. Conclusions: The benefits of prenatal education were recognized by women who attended the prenatal lecture, while women who did not participate underestimated the utility of the topics. Further actions are required to inform mothers about the necessity of antenatal education.

Download Full-text

The impact of outpatient clinical care on the survival and hospitalisation rate in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Radiology and Oncology ◽

10.1515/raon-2017-0056 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 75-82

Author(s):

Dejan Majc ◽

Bojan Tepes

Keyword(s):

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Hospitalisation Rate ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

The Impact

AbstractBackgroundIn the study, we aimed to determine whether regular outpatient controls in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis have an impact on their survival and hospitalisation rates.Patients and methodsWe included patients with liver cirrhosis and regular outpatient controls as a prospective study group and patients with liver cirrhosis who were admitted to hospital only in cases of complications as a retrospective control group. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2011.ResultsWe included 98 patients in the study group and 101 patients in the control group. There were more outpatient controls in the study group than in the control group (5.54 examinations vs. 2.27 examinations, p = 0.000). Patients in the study group had 25 fewer hospitalisations (10.2%; p = 0.612). The median survival rate was 4.6 years in the study group and 2.9 years in the control group (p = 0.021). Patients with Child A classification had an average survival of one year longer in the study group (p = 0.035). No significant difference was found for Child B patients. Patients with Child C classification had longer survival by 1.6 years in the study group (p = 0.006). Alcohol consumption was lower in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.018).ConclusionsWe confirmed that patients with regular outpatient controls had lower alcohol consumption, a lower hospitalisation rate and significantly prolonged survival time. We confirmed the necessity for the establishment of regular outpatient controls in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Download Full-text

Twin Pregnancies Complicated by a Single Malformed Fetus: Chorionicity, Outcome and Management

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1375/twin.13.5.501 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 501-507 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ali Gedikbasi ◽

Alpaslan Akyol ◽

Gokhan Yildirim ◽

Ali Ekiz ◽

Ahmet Gul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gestational Age ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Expectant Management ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Preliminary Evaluation ◽

Gestational Age At Birth ◽

The Impact ◽

Twin Pregnancies ◽

Age At Birth

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of one abnormal fetus in a twin pregnancy, to compare impact of chorionicity and clinical outcome of intervention and expectant management. Thirty-seven dichorionic (DC) twins and 18 monochorionic (MC) twins complicated with one malformed fetus were evaluated for gestational age, birthweight and perinatal outcome. Six hundred and forty-two twin pregnancies were evaluated in the database. The control groups consisted of 429 DC and 86 MC twins without anomalous fetus. Mean birthweight and gestational age at birth for DC control group were (n= 429; 2137g and 34.71 weeks), DC study group,n= 37; 2117g (p= .338) and 33.97 weeks (p= .311), and DC study group with major malformations,n= 30; 2019g (p= .289) and 33.3 weeks (p= .01), and showed only significance for gestational age. There was no statistical significance between MC control group,n= 86; 2097g and 34.93 weeks, and MC study group,n= 18; 2237g (p= .338), and 34.42 weeks (p= .502). Because of limited data, the preliminary evaluation for expectant management and intervention, and survival of at least one normal fetus showed no impact. We conclude that, although, all DC twin pregnancies have a risk for preterm delivery, DC twins complicated with major malformation of one twin, have a lower mean gestational age at birth. Preliminary results for intervention does not improve fetal outcome for DC and MC twins and needs further evaluation with greater studies of impact or review.

Download Full-text

Analysis of the Impact of Personalized Nursing Service and Hospice Care on the Quality of Life of Elderly Cancer Patients

Tobacco Regulatory Science ◽

10.18001/trs.7.4.24 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 469-473

Author(s):

Ting Fang ◽

Nian Wang ◽

Meng Chen ◽

Hongmei Ma

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Hospice Care ◽

Pain Treatment ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

The Difference ◽

The Impact

Objective Explore the impact of personalized nursing services and hospice care on the quality of life of elderly patients with advanced cancer. Method We selected 80 elderly cancer patients admitted to our hospital from September 2020 to May 2021, and divided these patients into a study group and a control group using a random number table method. The patients in the control group used conventional nursing methods to treat and care for the patients, and the patients in the study group used hospice care measures and combined personalized nursing measures. The quality of life and pain treatment effects of the two groups of patients before and after treatment were compared. Result Before treatment, the quality-of-life scores of the two groups of patients were low, and there was no statistical difference (P>0.05); After treatment, the quality of life of the two groups of patients improved, but compared with the control group, the improvement was more obvious in the study group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In terms of pain treatment effect, the total effective rate of pain treatment in the study group was 87.5%, which was significantly better than the 62.5% in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Personalized nursing services and hospice care are conducive to improving the survival and treatment of elderly patients with advanced cancer, and can be used as a clinical application program for the care of advanced cancer patients.

Download Full-text

Hemostasis in Infertile Patients Participating in Assisted Reproduction Programmes

Doctor Ru ◽

10.31550/1727-2378-2021-20-6-6-11 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 6-11

Author(s):

A.O. Godzoeva ◽

◽

I.E. Zazerskaya ◽

V.S. Vlasov ◽

T.V. Vavilova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Study Objective ◽

Hemostasis System ◽

Fibrin Monomer ◽

Study Results ◽

Venous Thromboembolic Events ◽

The Impact ◽

Infertile Patients

Study Objective: To evaluate the impact of multifollicular ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programmes on hemostasis. Study Design: perspective comparative study. Materials and Methods. The study included 68 patients divided into two groups: study group (n = 36) — infertile patients; control group (n = 32) — healthy non-pregnant women of reproductive age. The protocol with gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonists was used for ovulation stimulation. Hemostasis system in study patients was evaluated in 2 weeks after embryos were transferred to uterus; in control group — on day 20–22 of menstrual period. For the study group, we evaluated clotting test parameters of hemostasis system, D-dimers (D-d) and fibrin monomer (FM). Study Results. We have not found statistically significant differences between hemostasis screening results of study groups. We have identified increase in pro-coagulatory properties of blood in the study group patients: increase in FM and D-d (р < 0.0001 in both cases). There is an association between study parameters and pregnancy (p < 0.001) and no association with obesity, age and infertility. Conclusion. In IVF programme, FM and D-d levels rise, evidencing hypercoagulation development. An increase in FM levels was even more significant and can be used as an early and specific fibrogenesis marker. Keywords: assisted reproductive technologies, fibrin monomer, D-dimer, hypercoagulation, venous thromboembolic events.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Pre-emptive Large Dose of Methylprednisolone Combined With Gabapentin on Pain Treatment and Convalescence After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Elderly. A Randomized Control Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-149103/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Henryk Liszka ◽

Małgorzata Zając ◽

Artur Gądek

Keyword(s):

Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Single Dose ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Opioid Analgesic ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Intensity Level ◽

Old Patients ◽

Total Knee ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The aim of the study was to assess whether administration of gabapentin and methylprednisolone as “pre-emptive analgesia” in a group of patients above 65 years of age would be effective in complex pain management therapy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Material and Methods One hundred seventy, above 65 years old patients were qualified for the study, and 10 patients were excluded due to clinical situation. One hundred sixty patients were double-blind randomized into two groups: the study (eighty patients) and controls (eighty patients). The study group received as “pre-emptive” analgesia a single dose of 300 mg oral gabapentin and 125 mg intravenous methylprednisolone, while the others placebo. Perioperatively, all the patients received opioid and nonopioid analgesic agents calculated for 1 kg of body weight. We measured the levels of inflammatory markers (leukocytosis, C-reactive protein - CRP), pain intensity level at rest (numerical rating scale - NRS), the life parameters and all complications. Results Following administration of gabapentin and methylprednisolone as “pre-emptive” analgesia CRP values being lower on all postoperative days ( 1, 2 days - p<0,00001, 3 day – p=000538), leukocytosis on day 2 (p<0,0086) and 3 (p<0,00042), the NRS score at rest 6, 12 (p<0,000001), 18 (p<0,00004) and 24 (p=0,005569) hours postoperatively . Methylprednisolone with gabapentin significantly decreased the dose of parenteral opioid preparations (p=0,000006). The duration time of analgesia was significantly longer in study group (p<0,000001). No infectious complications were observed; in the control group, one patient manifested transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Conclusion The use of gabapentin and methylprednisolone at a single dose decreases the level of postoperative pain on the day of surgery, the dose of opioid analgesic preparations, the level of inflammatory parameters without infectious processes.

Download Full-text

A prospective study of selective pleural blood patching for pneumothorax due to computed tomography-guided percutaneous lung biopsy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-27711/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hironori Uruga ◽

Hisashi Takaya ◽

Shuhei Moriguchi ◽

Yui Takahashi ◽

Kazumasa Ogawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chest Tube ◽

Lung Biopsy ◽

Tube Placement ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Tube Insertion ◽

Chest Tube Placement ◽

Percutaneous Lung Biopsy ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

And Control

Abstract Background: We conducted a prospective study to investigate the efficacy of pleural blood patching to reduce the need for chest tube placement in pneumothorax of CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy. Methods: We enrolled each 77 patients in study and control groups. If the patient of study group developed pneumothorax ≥1 cm on post-biopsy CT, we drew 15 mL blood, then performed simple aspiration followed by pleural blood patching. In control group, we performed only simple aspiration or no interventions. Results: Of the 77 patients of study group, 41 developed pneumothorax, 9 of which were ≥ 1 cm, and 8 patients underwent pleural blood patching. None of these 8 patients (0%) required chest tube placement. In comparison between study group and control group, pleural blood patching reduced the chest tube insertion rate from 23.1% to 11.1% in patients pneumothorax ≥ 1 cm, but not statistically significant (p=0.26) Conclusion: Selective pleural blood patching reduced chest tube insertion rate in patients pneumothorax ≥ 1 cm, large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the result. Trial registration: This study was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (trial number: 000007586).

Download Full-text

Epistaxis as a marker for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 status – a prospective study

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215120001863 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (8) ◽

pp. 717-720 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MH Hussain ◽

M Mair ◽

P Rea

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing ◽

The Mean ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

The Difference ◽

A Prospective Study

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection in patients presenting with epistaxis to a tertiary otolaryngology unit.MethodsA prospective study was conducted of 40 consecutive patients presenting with epistaxis referred to our tertiary otolaryngology unit. A group of 40 age-matched controls were also included. All patients underwent real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Symptoms of fever, cough and anosmia were noted in the study group.ResultsThe mean age was 66.5 ± 22.4 years in the study group. There were 22 males (55 per cent) and 18 females (45 per cent). The mean age in the control group was 66.3 ± 22.4 years (p = 0.935). There were six positive cases for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (15 per cent) in the epistaxis group and one case (2.5 per cent) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05).ConclusionEpistaxis may represent a presenting symptom of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection. This may serve as a useful additional criterion for screening patients.

Download Full-text

Impact of the Clinical Pharmacist on Readmission in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1345/aph.1e640 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 39 (9) ◽

pp. 1423-1427 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Kate M O'Del ◽

Suzan N Kucukarslan

Keyword(s):

Unstable Angina ◽

Clinical Pharmacist ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Patient Care Team ◽

Direct Patient Care ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Coronary Syndromes ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported a positive impact of pharmacists on care of patients with chronic illnesses. The impact of the clinical pharmacist on hospital readmission in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has yet to be evaluated, as of this writing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the clinical pharmacist as a direct patient-care team member on cardiac-related readmission in patients admitted to the general cardiology unit with ACS. METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized observational study compared patients who received standard practice care with patients admitted to a service with a clinical pharmacist to provide care at the bedside. Patients admitted to and discharged from the general cardiology unit for ACS were included. The primary endpoint of the study was cardiac-related readmission at 30 days following hospital discharge. Secondary endpoints included length of stay and medication utilization. Interventions provided by the clinical pharmacist in the study group were documented. RESULTS: Cardiac readmission at 30 days was similar between the groups (p = 0.59%). In the subset of patients with unstable angina, readmission in the study group was significantly lower than in the control group (1.3% vs 9.1%; p = 0.04%). Patients in both groups were similarly managed using drug therapy and invasive coronary interventions. The medical staff's rate of acceptance of recommendations provided by the pharmacist was 94.4%. The most common interventions were medication education and identification of indicated therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of pharmacists did not decrease readmission in patients with ACS. The finding of significant reduction in readmission in the subset of patients with unstable angina should be considered “hypothesis generating” for future randomized studies to confirm the results.

Download Full-text

Anthropometric Assessment after Slow Breathing Exercise in Type 2 Diabetic Male Patients

International Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders ◽

10.33140/ijdmd.05.02.03 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Anthropometric Parameters ◽

Breathing Exercise ◽

Male Patients ◽

Slow Breathing ◽

The Impact

Background: Yoga based slow breathing exercise (SBE) has several beneficial effects on physical and mental health. Objectives: To observe the impact of slow breathing exercise on anthropometric parameters in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted on sixty (60) male diagnosed T2DM patients aged 45-55 years with duration of disease 5-10 years enrolled from Out Patients Department of Endocrinology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and Dhaka. By simple random technique the subjects were divided into control group (n=30) and study group (n=30). Yoga based slow breathing exercise was practiced by the study group for 30 minutes twice daily for 3 months. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio were assessed at the start of the study and after 3 months. Independent sample and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis and p<0.05was considered as statistical significance. Results: In this study the value of mean BMI was significantly (p=<0.05) reduced after 3 months of SBE. Again, all the anthropometric parameters were significantly (p=>0.05) increased after 3 months in the group who did not undergo SBE. Conclusion: Anthropometric parameters were improved after slow breathing exercise for 3 months.

Download Full-text

The effect of diabetes mellitus on evolution and outcome of tuberculosis in a prospective study

The Moldovan Medical Journal ◽

10.52418/moldovan-med-j.64-5.21.03 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 (5) ◽

pp. 16-20

Author(s):

Alina Malic ◽

◽

Evelina Lesnic ◽

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Treatment Effectiveness ◽

Similar Rate ◽

Control Group ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

The Impact

Background: In the Republic of Moldova almost 5% of the cases with tuberculosis are diagnosed annually among diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diabetes mellitus on the evolution and anti-tuberculosis treatment effectiveness in a prospective study. Material and methods: A prospective, longitudinal and case-control study, which included a total number of 252 patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and distributed in a study group, consisting of 93 patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and a control group, consisting of 159 patients without glycemic disorders, was performed. Results: This study identified that one half of the group with diabetes was detected by active screening and one third received anti-tuberculous treatment before actual episode. A similar rate of diabetic and non-diabetic patients was microbiologically positive, as well confirmed with drug-resistance. The anti-tuberculous treatment effectiveness was lower in diabetic patients, the death rate and the low treatment outcome (lost to follow-up and failed) were higher than in non-diabetic patients. The main causes of unfavorable evolution were: glycemic disorders (hyperglycemia), diabetes complications and the history of the anti-tuberculous treatment in the anamnesis. Conclusions: The individualized approach and a tight follow-up should be performed regularly in all patients with glycemic disorders and tuberculosis for the improvement of the disease outcome.

Download Full-text