The outpatient management of hypertension at two Sierra Leonean health centres: A mixed-method investigation of follow-up compliance and patient-reported barriers to care

Objective: Continuity is an essential part of high-quality nursing care. This study is the first systematic follow-up of Finnish primary health care patients assessing continuity of health centre nursing staff. The aim was to ascertain how longitudinal interpersonal continuity of care is related to patients’ characteristics, their consultation experiences, and how continuity had changed over the 15-year study period.Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among patients attending the health centres in the Tampere University Hospital catchment area from 1998 to 2013. A total of 157,549 patients responded out of 363,464 in almost 60 health centres. We analysed the opinions of patients (n = 47,470) who had visited a nurse during the survey weeks. Opinions on the continuity of care were assessed with the question: “When visiting the health centre, do you usually see the same nurse”, the alternatives being “yes” or “no”. A binary logistic regression model was used.Results: Almost two thirds of the respondents had met the same nurse when visiting their health care centre. Longitudinal interpersonal continuity of care decreased by 15 percentage (67%-52%) during the study years. Continuity was connected to patient-related items such as a visit in the preceding 12 months (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17-1.49) and non-urgency of the visit (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.27-1.63). The most prominent factor contributing to the sense of continuity of care was how attentively nurses had listened to their patients’ problems and shown an interest in them and a willingness to answer their questions (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.120-1.43).Conclusions: In the past 15 years patient-reported longitudinal interpersonal continuity of nursing care has declined. However continuity of care proved to enhance the experienced quality of primary health care. Continuity was best realized in nursing care when nurses had listened to their patients’ problems, showed interest toward them and a willingness to answer their questions.

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Diagnosis and management of surgical disease at Ethiopian health centres: cross-sectional survey of resources and barriers to care

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031525 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. e031525

Author(s):

Nichole Starr ◽

Sarah Carpenter ◽

Melissa Carvalho ◽

Aileen Souza ◽

Robin Chin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Barriers To Care ◽

Surgical Care ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Material Resources ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Health Centres ◽

Family Perceptions ◽

Specific Barriers

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to characterise the resources and challenges for surgical care and referrals at health centres (HCs) in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.SettingEight primary HCs in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.ParticipantsEight health officers and nurses staffing eight HCs completed a survey.DesignThe study was a survey-based, cross-sectional assessment of HCs in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia and data were collected over a 30-day period from November 2014 to January 2015.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSurvey assessed human and material resources, diagnostic capabilities and challenges and patient-reported barriers to care.ResultsEight HCs had an average of 18 providers each, the majority of which were nurses (62.2%) and health officers (20.7%). HCs had intermittent availability of clean water, nasogastric tubes, rectal tubes and suturing materials, none of them had any form of imaging. A total of 168 surgical patients were seen at the 8 HCs; 58% were referred for surgery. Most common diagnoses were trauma/burns (42%) and need for caesarean section (9%). Of those who did not receive surgery, 32 patients reported specific barriers to obtaining care (91.4%). The most common specific barriers were patients not being decision makers to have surgery, lack of family/social support and inability to afford hospital fees.ConclusionsHCs in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia are well-staffed with nurses and health officers, however they face a number of diagnostic and treatment challenges due to lack of material resources. Many patients requiring surgery receive initial diagnosis and care at HCs; sociocultural and financial factors commonly prohibit these patients from receiving surgery. Further study is needed to determine how such delays may impact patient outcomes. Improving material resources at HCs and exploring community and family perceptions of surgery may enable more streamlined access to surgical care and prevent delays.

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Outpatient Management and Follow-Up of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Clinics in Perinatology ◽

10.1016/s0095-5108(18)30939-4 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 101-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Beverly L. Koops ◽

Steven H. Abman ◽

Frank J. Accurso

Keyword(s):

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ◽

Outpatient Management

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Individualized cancer follow-up supported by electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes: Development and evaluation (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18397 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sissel Ravn ◽

Henriette Vind Thaysen ◽

Lene Seibaek ◽

Victor Jilbert Verwaal ◽

Lene Hjerrild Iversen

Keyword(s):

Ct Scan ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Cost Benefit Analysis ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

European Organization ◽

Individualized Care ◽

Patient Reported

BACKGROUND Cancer survivors experience unmet needs during follow-up. Besides recurrence, a follow-up includes detection of late side effects, rehabilitation, palliation and individualized care. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the development and evaluate the feasibility of an intervention providing individualized cancer follow-up supported by electronic patient-reported outcomes (e-PRO). METHODS The study was carried out as an interventional study at a Surgical and a Gynecological Department offering complex cancer surgery and follow-up for advanced cancer. The e-PRO screened for a priori defined clinical important symptoms and needs providing individualized follow-up. We included following questionnaires in the e-PRO; the general European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and the EORTC validated for colorectal and ovarian cancer patients. To support individualization, we included three prioritized issues of the patient’s preference in each e-PRO. The response-algorithm was aggregated based on the severity of the patient’s response. To ensure the sensitivity of the e-PRO, we performed semi-structured interviews with five patients. All clinicians (surgeons and gynecologists) performing the consultations reviewed the e-PRO. The evaluation was divided in two, 1)The feasibility was assessed by a)Patients’ response rate of the e-PRO, b)Number of follow-up visits documenting the use of e-PRO and c)Patients’ prioritized issues prior to the consultation(‘yes’ / ‘no’), and after the follow-up 2)Patients assessment of a)The need and purpose of the follow-up visit and b)the support provided during the follow-up visit. RESULTS In total, 187 patients were included in the study, of which 73%(n=136/187) patients responded to the e-PRO and were subjected to an individualized follow-up. The e-PRO was documented as applied in 79% of the follow-up visits. In total, 23% of the prioritized issues did not include a response. Stratified by time since surgery, significantly more patients did not fill out a prioritized issue had a follow-up >6 months since surgery. In total, 72 % follow-up visits were evaluated to be necessary in order to discuss the outcome of the CT scan, symptoms, and/or prioritized issues. Contrary, 19% of the follow-up visits were evaluated to be necessary only to discuss the result of the CT scan. A range from 19.3–56.3% of patients assessed the follow-up visit to provide support with respect to physical (42% of patients), mental (56%), sexual (19%) or dietary (27%) issues. Further, a range from 34–60% of the patients reported that they did not need support regarding physical (43% of patients), mental (34%), sexual (63%) or dietary (57%) issues. CONCLUSIONS An individualized follow-up based on e-PRO is feasible, and support most patients surgically treated for advanced cancer. However, results indicate that follow-up based on e-PRO may not be beneficial for all patients and circumstances. A thorough cost-benefit analysis may be warranted before implementation in routine clinic.

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The effect of surgery in tenosynovial giant cell tumours as measured by patient-reported outcomes on quality of life and joint function

The Bone & Joint Journal ◽

10.1302/0301-620x.101b3.bjj-2018-0804.r1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 101-B (3) ◽

pp. 272-280 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

F. G. M. Verspoor ◽

M. J. L. Mastboom ◽

G. Hannink ◽

W. T. A. van der Graaf ◽

M. A. J. van de Sande ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Giant Cell ◽

Diffuse Type ◽

Joint Function ◽

Population Means ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Impact

Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and joint function in tenosynovial giant cell tumour (TGCT) patients before and after surgical treatment. Patients and Methods This prospective cohort study run in two Dutch referral centres assessed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs; 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)) in 359 consecutive patients with localized- and diffuse-type TGCT of large joints. Patients with recurrent disease (n = 121) and a wait-and-see policy (n = 32) were excluded. Collected data were analyzed at specified time intervals preoperatively (baseline) and/or postoperatively up to five years. Results A total of 206 TGCT patients, 108 localized- and 98 diffuse-type, were analyzed. Median age at diagnosis of localized- and diffuse-type was 41 years (interquartile range (IQR) 29 to 49) and 37 years (IQR 27 to 47), respectively. SF-36 analyses showed statistically significant and clinically relevant deteriorated preoperative and immediate postoperative scores compared with general Dutch population means, depending on subscale and TGCT subtype. After three to six months of follow-up, these scores improved to general population means and continued to be fairly stable over the following years. VAS scores, for both subtypes, showed no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences pre- or postoperatively. In diffuse-type patients, the improvement in median WOMAC score was statistically significant and clinically relevant preoperatively versus six to 24 months postoperatively, and remained up to five years’ follow-up. Conclusion Patients with TGCT report a better HRQoL and joint function after surgery. Pain scores, which vary hugely between patients and in patients over time, did not improve. A disease-specific PROM would help to decipher the impact of TGCT on patients’ daily life and functioning in more detail. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:272–280.

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Outcomes of the rotating hinge knee in revision total knee arthroplasty with a median follow-up of 6.2 years

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04205-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jake von Hintze ◽

Mika Niemeläinen ◽

Harri Sintonen ◽

Jyrki Nieminen ◽

Antti Eskelinen

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Survival Rate ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Total Knee ◽

Revision Tka

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine the mid-term clinical, radiographic and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes and define the survival rate in patients who had undergone revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using the single rotating hinged knee (RHK) design. Methods Between January 2004 and December 2013, 125 revision TKAs were performed at our institution using the single RHK implant. We conducted both a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected outcome data of these patients and a prospective follow-up study of all 39 living patients (41 knees). The follow-up phase included an optional extra follow-up visit, PROM questionnaires, and plain radiographs. Results The ten-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate of the revision RHK knees was 81.7% (95% CI 71.9–91.6%) with re-revision for any reason as the endpoint. Overall, 15 knees (12% of the total) underwent re-revision surgery during the follow-up. The median follow-up was 6.2 years (range, 0–12.7 years) post-operatively for the baseline group. One mechanical hinge mechanism-related failure occurred without any history of trauma or infection. At the time of the final follow-up, the majority of patients evinced a fairly good clinical outcome measured with patient-reported outcome measures and none of the components were radiographically loose. Conclusion We found that in patients undergoing complex revision TKA, fairly good functional outcome and quality of life can be achieved using an RHK implant. Further, it seems that in this type of patient cohort, revision TKA using an RHK implant relieves pain more than it improves ability to function. The NexGen® RHK design can be regarded as a suitable option in complex revision TKA.

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Real-World Outcomes of Ivacaftor Treatment in People with Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10071527 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1527

Author(s):

Jamie Duckers ◽

Beth Lesher ◽

Teja Thorat ◽

Eleanor Lucas ◽

Lisa J. McGarry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cystic Fibrosis ◽

Real World ◽

Safety Profile ◽

Clinical Trial Data ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Healthcare Resource Utilization ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Clinical Benefits

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare, progressive, multi-organ genetic disease. Ivacaftor, a small-molecule CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator, was the first medication to treat the underlying cause of CF. Since its approval, real-world clinical experience on the use of ivacaftor has been documented in large registries and smaller studies. Here, we systematically review data from real-world observational studies of ivacaftor treatment in people with CF (pwCF). Searches of MEDLINE and Embase identified 368 publications reporting real-world studies that enrolled six or more pwCF treated with ivacaftor published between January 2012 and September 2019. Overall, 75 publications providing data from 57 unique studies met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Studies reporting within-group change for pwCF treated with ivacaftor consistently showed improvements in lung function, nutritional parameters, and patient-reported respiratory and sino-nasal symptoms. Benefits were evident as early as 1 month following ivacaftor initiation and were sustained over long-term follow-up. Decreases in pulmonary exacerbations, Pseudomonas aeruginosa prevalence, and healthcare resource utilization also were reported for up to 66 months following ivacaftor initiation. In studies comparing ivacaftor treatment to modulator untreated comparator groups, clinical benefits similarly were reported as were decreases in mortality, organ-transplantation, and CF-related complications. The safety profile of ivacaftor observed in these real-world studies was consistent with the well-established safety profile based on clinical trial data. Our systematic review of real-world studies shows ivacaftor treatment in pwCF results in highly consistent and sustained clinical benefit in both pulmonary and non-pulmonary outcomes across various geographies, study designs, patient characteristics, and follow-up durations, confirming and expanding upon evidence from clinical trials.

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Three-year clinical and radiological results of a cruciate-retaining type of the knee prosthesis with anatomical geometry developed in Japan

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04114-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Arata Nakajima ◽

Manabu Yamada ◽

Masato Sonobe ◽

Yorikazu Akatsu ◽

Masahiko Saito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Prosthesis ◽

Cruciate Retaining ◽

Radiolucent Lines ◽

Radiographic Outcomes ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Total Knee ◽

Clinical And Radiological Results ◽

Anatomical Geometry

Abstract Background The FINE total knee was developed in Japan and clinical use began in 2001. It has unique design features, including an oblique 3o femorotibial joint line that reproduces anatomical geometry. Although 20 years have passed since the FINE knee was clinically used for the first time in Japan, a formal clinical evaluation including patient-reported and radiographic outcomes has not been undertaken. Methods A total of 175 consecutive primary cruciate-retaining (CR)-FINE total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) at our hospital between February 2015 and March 2017 were included in this study. Three years postoperatively, range of motion (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) were recorded and compared with preoperative scores. Radiographic analyses including mechanical alignment, component alignment, and incidence of radiolucent lines also were undertaken based on the radiographs 3 years postoperatively. Results One-hundred twenty-two knees (70%) were available for 3-year follow-up data using KOOS, except for the sports subscale. Postoperative KOOS-symptom, −pain and -ADL were > 85 points, but KOOS-sports, −QOL and FJS were less satisfactory. ROM, KSS and all the subscales of KOOS were significantly improved compared with preoperative scores. Postoperative mean FJS was 66 and was significantly correlated with all the subscales of KOOS, but not with postoperative ROM. Radiolucent lines ≧1 mm wide were detected in five knees (4.1%). There were no major complications needing revision surgeries. Conclusions Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for symptoms, pain and ADL after the CR-FINE TKA were generally improved, but those for sports, QOL and FJS were improved less. The incidence of radiolucent lines was rare but detected around the femoral components. With the mid- to long-term follow-up, improvements of surgical technique will be necessary to achieve better PROs from patients receiving the FINE knee.

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Patient-Reported Outcomes After Complex Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: 5-Year Results of the Scoli-Risk-1 Study

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/2192568220988276 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822098827

Author(s):

Scott L. Zuckerman ◽

Meghan Cerpa ◽

Lawrence G. Lenke ◽

Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽

Leah Y. Carreon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Corrective Osteotomy ◽

Leg Pain ◽

Major Surgery ◽

Mean Values ◽

Self Image ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Spinal Deformity Surgery

Study Design: Prospective cohort. Objective: To prospectively evaluate PROs up to 5-years after complex ASD surgery. Methods: The Scoli-RISK-1 study enrolled 272 ASD patients undergoing surgery from 15 centers. Inclusion criteria was Cobb angle of >80°, corrective osteotomy for congenital or revision deformity, and/or 3-column osteotomy. The following PROs were measured prospectively at intervals up to 5-years postoperative: ODI, SF36-PCS/MCS, SRS-22, NRS back/leg. Among patients with 5-year follow-up, comparisons were made from both baseline and 2-years postoperative to 5-years postoperative. PROs were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures. Results: Seventy-seven patients (28.3%) had 5-year follow-up data. Comparing baseline to 5-year data among these 77 patients, significant improvement was seen in all PROs: ODI (45.2 vs. 29.3, P < 0.001), SF36-PCS (31.5 vs. 38.8, P < 0.001), SF36-MCS (44.9 vs. 49.1, P = 0.009), SRS-22-total (2.78 vs. 3.61, P < 0.001), NRS-back pain (5.70 vs. 2.95, P < 0.001) and NRS leg pain (3.64 vs. 2.62, P = 0.017). In the 2 to 5-year follow-up period, no significant changes were seen in any PROs. The percentage of patients achieving MCID from baseline to 5-years were: ODI (62.0%) and the SRS-22r domains of function (70.4%), pain (63.0%), mental health (37.5%), self-image (60.3%), and total (60.3%). Surprisingly, mean values ( P > 0.05) and proportion achieving MCID did not differ significantly in patients with major surgery-related complications compared to those without. Conclusions: After complex ASD surgery, significant improvement in PROs were seen at 5-years postoperative in ODI, SF36-PCS/MCS, SRS-22r, and NRS-back/leg pain. No significant changes in PROs occurred during the 2 to 5-year postoperative period. Those with major surgery-related complications had similar PROs and proportion of patients achieving MCID as those without these complications.

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349 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Patients with Chronic Pain - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A139-A140

Author(s):

Janannii Selvanathan ◽

Chi Pham ◽

Mahesh Nagappa ◽

Philip Peng ◽

Marina Englesakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Comorbid Insomnia ◽

Patient Reported

Abstract Introduction Patients with chronic non-cancer pain often report insomnia as a significant comorbidity. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as the first line of treatment for insomnia, and several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined the efficacy of CBT-I on various health outcomes in patients with comorbid insomnia and chronic non-cancer pain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of CBT-I on sleep, pain, depression, anxiety and fatigue in adults with comorbid insomnia and chronic non-cancer pain. Methods A systematic search was conducted using ten electronic databases. The duration of the search was set between database inception to April 2020. Included studies must be RCTs assessing the effects of CBT-I on at least patient-reported sleep outcomes in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. Quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment and Yates quality rating scale. Continuous data were extracted and summarized using standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The literature search resulted in 7,772 articles, of which 14 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Twelve of these articles were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis comprised 762 participants. CBT-I demonstrated a large significant effect on patient-reported sleep (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI [0.55–1.20], p < 0.00001) at post-treatment and final follow-up (up to 9 months) (0.59 [0.31–0.86], p < 0.0001); and moderate effects on pain (SMD = 0.20 [0.06, 0.34], p = 0.006) and depression (0.44 [0.09–0.79], p= 0.01) at post-treatment. The probability of improving sleep and pain following CBT-I at post-treatment was 81% and 58%, respectively. The probability of improving sleep and pain at final follow-up was 73% and 57%, respectively. There were no statistically significant effects on anxiety and fatigue. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that CBT-I is effective for improving sleep in adults with comorbid insomnia and chronic non-cancer pain. Further, CBT-I may lead to short-term moderate improvements in pain and depression. However, there is a need for further RCTs with adequate power, longer follow-up periods, CBT for both insomnia and pain, and consistent scoring systems for assessing patient outcomes. Support (if any):

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