Changes in the Diagnosis of Stroke and Cardiovascular Conditions in Primary Care During First 2 COVID-19 Waves in the Netherlands

Background and objectivesAlthough there is evidence of disruption in acute cerebrovascular and cardiovascular care during the COVID-19 pandemic, its downstream effect in primary care is less clear. We investigated how the pandemic affected utilization of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular care in general practices (GPs) and determined changes in GP-recorded diagnoses of selected cerebrovascular and cardiovascular outcomes.MethodsFrom electronic health records of 166,929 primary care patients aged 30 or over within the Rotterdam region, the Netherlands, we extracted the number of consultations related to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular care, and first diagnoses of selected cerebrovascular and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders), conditions and events (angina, atrial fibrillation, TIA, myocardial infarction, stroke). We quantified changes in those outcomes during the first COVID-19 wave (March-May 2020) and thereafter (June-December 2020) by comparing them to the same period in 2016-2019. We also estimated the number of potentially missed diagnoses for each outcome.ResultsThe number of GP consultations related to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular care declined by 38% (0.62, 95% CI: 0.56-0.68) during the first wave, as compared to expected counts based on pre-pandemic levels. Substantial declines in the number of new diagnoses were observed for cerebrovascular events: 37% for TIA (0.63, 0.41-0.96), and 29% for stroke (0.71, 0.59 to 0.84), while no significant changes were observed for cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction (0.91, 0.74-1.14), angina (0.77, 0.48-1.25)). The counts across individual diagnoses recovered following June 2020, but the number of GP consultations related to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular care remained lower than expected also throughout the June-December period (0.93, 0.88-0.98).DiscussionWhile new diagnoses of acute cardiovascular events remained stable during the COVID19 pandemic, diagnoses of cerebrovascular events declined substantially compared to pre-pandemic levels, possibly due to incorrect perception of risk by patients. These findings emphasize the need to improve symptom recognition of cerebrovascular events among the general public and to encourage urgent presentation despite any physical distancing measures.

Remotely provided open-label placebo reduces frequency of and impairment by allergic symptoms

Background and Objective: Placebos being prescribed with full honesty and disclosure (i.e., open-label placebo = OLP) have been shown to reduce symptom burden in a variety of conditions. With regard to allergic rhinits, previous research provided inconclusive evidence for the effects of OLP, possibly related to a separate focus on either symptom severity or symptom frequency. Overcoming this limitation of previous research, the present study aimed to examine the effects of OLP on both the severity and frequency of allergic symptoms.Methods: In a randomized-controlled trial, patients with allergic rhinits (N=74) were randomized to OLP or treatment as usual (TAU). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OLP was administered remotely in a virtual clinical encounter. Participants took placebo tablets for 14 days. The primary outcomes were the severity and frequency of allergic symptoms. The secondary endpoint was allergy-related impairment.Results: OLP did not significantly improve symptom severity over TAU, F(1, 71) = 3.280, p = .074, ɳ²p = .044, but did reduce symptom frequency, F(1, 71) = 7.272, p = .009, ɳ²p = .093, and allergy-related impairment more than TAU, F(1, 71) = 6.445, p = .013, ɳ²p = .083, reflecting medium to large effects. The use of other anti-allergic medication did not influence the results. Conclusions: While OLP was able to lower the frequency of allergic symptoms and allergy-related impairment substantially, its effects on symptom severity were weaker. The remote provision of OLP suggests that physical contact between patients and providers might not be necessary for OLP to work.

Symptom clusters in patients with colorectal cancer after colostomy: a longitudinal study in Shanghai

Objective Research is lacking regarding the experiences of patients after colostomy, which is needed so as to take necessary specific actions. In this study, we aimed to describe the trajectory of symptom clusters experienced by patients after colostomy over time. Methods This was a longitudinal observational study using data from 149 patients with colorectal cancer after colostomy. We investigated symptoms and symptom clusters at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after colostomy. Results Four main symptom clusters were identified, including a psychological symptom cluster, digestive and urinary symptom cluster, lack of energy symptom cluster, and pain symptom cluster in patients after colostomy in the first year after surgery. We further explored the symptom trajectory. Conclusions We explored symptom clusters and the trajectory of symptom resolution in patients after colostomy during the first year after surgery. Four stages were proposed to describe the different statuses of symptom clusters experienced by patients. Our findings may provide insight into how to improve symptom management and postoperative quality of life for patients after colostomy.

Clinical difference between single subtype and mixed subtype chronic urticaria: A retrospective study

Background: The subtypes of chronic urticaria share a common clinical expression, but may show differences phenotypically. Meanwhile, two or more different subtypes of chronic urticaria can coexist in any given patient which may involve different phenotypes. Aims: The study aims to compare the two phenotypes in terms of demographics, clinical profile and treatment response. Methods: In this retrospective study, 2678 chronic urticaria patients were divided into the single subtype chronic urticaria group and mixed subtype chronic urticaria group as was appropriate.The differences in the clinical features, possible causes, urticaria activity score of seven days, dermatology life quality index score, laboratory investigations and response to treatments were evaluated among the two groups. Results: An obvious female predominance was detected in chronic urticaria, especially in mixed subtype chronic urticaria patients. Of the 2678 chronic urticaria patients, there were 837(31.25%) mixed subtype chronic urticaria. Chronic spontaneous urticaria combined with symptomatic dermographism was the most common group in the mixed subtype chronic urticaria. Patients with mixed subtype chronic urticaria were more likely to have associated chest tightness/shortness of breath and showed greater urticaria activity. In patients with single subtype chronic urticaria, the positive rate of family history with allergic rhinitis, asthma or urticaria was lower. Based on evaluation of the treatment, control with second-generation antihistamines at licensed doses was achieved in only 38.83% of mixed subtype chronic urticaria patients, compared with 56.32% of patients with single subtype. Limitations: First, this study was a single-center design retrospective study. Second, omalizumab treatment was not included. Third, the differences between different subtypes of mixed subtype chronic urticaria were not discussed in detail. Conclusion: This study showed that mixed subtype chronic urticaria had some distinct features. Comprehensive knowledge about it may help us define effective therapeutic strategies and improve symptom control and the quality of life for chronic urticaria patients.

Clinical decision support system to optimise symptom management in palliative medicine: focus group study

ObjectivesSuboptimal symptom control in patients with life-limiting illnesses is a major issue. A clinical decision support system (CDSS) that combines a patient-reported symptom assessment scale (SAS) and guideline-based individualised recommendations has the potential to improve symptom management. However, lacking end-user acceptance often prevents CDSS use in daily practice.We aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a palliative care CDSS according to its targeted end-users.MethodsSix focus groups with different groups of stakeholders were conducted: (1) patient representatives; (2) community nurses; (3) hospital nurses; (4) general practitioners; (5) hospital physicians and (6) palliative care specialists. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.ResultsFifty-one stakeholders (6–12 per focus group) participated. Six themes were discussed: effect, validity, continuity, practical usability, implementation and additional features. All participants expected a CDSS to improve symptom management, for example, by reminding clinicians of blind spots and prompting patient participation. They feared interference with professional autonomy of physicians, doubted the validity of using a patient-reported SAS as CDSS input and thought lacking care continuity would complicate CDSS use. Clinicians needed clear criteria for when to use the CDSS (eg, life-limiting illness, timing in illness trajectory). Participants preferred a patient-coordinated system but were simultaneously concerned patients may be unwilling or unable to fill out an SAS.ConclusionsA palliative care CDSS was considered useful for improving symptom management. To develop a feasible system, barriers for successful implementation must be addressed including concerns about using a patient-reported SAS, lacking care continuity and unclear indications for use.

Advance care planning for patients with COVID-19: a communication guide

In view of the high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19, early and honest conversations with patients about goals of care are vital. Advance care planning in its traditional manner may be difficult to achieve given the unpredictability of the disease trajectory. Despite this, it is crucial that patients' care wishes are explored as this will help prevent inappropriate admissions to hospital and to critical care, improve symptom control and advocate for patient choice. This article provides practical tips on how to translate decisions around treatment escalation plans into conversations, both face-to-face and over the phone, in a sensitive and compassionate manner. Care planning conversations for patients with COVID-19 should be individualised and actively involve the patient. Focusing on goals of care rather than ceilings of treatment can help to alleviate anxiety around these conversations and will remind patients that their care will never cease. Using a framework such as the ‘SPIKES’ mnemonic can help to structure this conversation. Verbally conveying empathy will be key, particularly when wearing personal protective equipment or speaking to relatives over the phone. It is also important to make time to recognise your own emotions during and/or after these conversations.

Visual Design and Anthropomorphism in a Mobile Pulmonary Rehabilitation Support Intervention

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a behavioral intervention that can improve symptom control and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but access, uptake and adherence are problematic. Our team has pursued the development of a mobile phone-based intervention (mobile pulmonary rehabilitation, mPR) with iterative design and a pilot study. The mPR intervention is delivered through two technologies: text messages (SMS) and a smartphone application. Our user-centered design analysis of pilot study data led to several insights. First, patients’ replies to the SMS suggested that messages were anthropomorphised and provided social support. Second, the smartphone application could help patients by clearly visualizing the exercise program, alternative exercises, and progress to date. We demonstrate the design iterations made to meet these requirements and we present feedback obtained from experts and from four COPD patients. We discuss implications for the design of mobile pulmonary rehabilitation interventions.

Convivendo com múltiplos sintomas: a experiência de crianças e adolescentes com condição crônica [Living with multiple symptoms: the experience of children and adolescents with chronic condition] [Vivir con múltiples síntomas: la experiencia de niños y adolescentes con condición crónica]

Objetivo: compreender como é a experiência da criança/adolescente de conviver com sintomas de uma condição crônica. Método: abordagem qualitativa, utilizando como referencial a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. Os participantes foram 11 crianças e adolescentes de seis a 18 anos incompletos hospitalizados em um hospital estadual universitário. Como instrumentos de coleta de dados, utilizou-se a entrevista semiestruturada e a técnica “draw, write and tell”. As entrevistas foram audiogravadas e transcritas, e a análise seguiu os passos do referencial. Resultados: apreendeu-se a categoria “Tendo que conviver com os sintomas”, que engloba cinco subcategorias que apresentam sintomas físicos, emocionais e gerais, a convivência com a multiplicidade de sintomas simultâneos e as consequências de se conviver com eles. Conclusão: a convivência com diversos sintomas leva a limitações. A enfermagem precisa favorecer a expressão das vivencias das crianças/adolescentes, minimizando situações de estresse e melhorar o gerenciamento dos sintomas, através do planejamento de estratégias individualizadas.ABSTRACTObjective: to comprehend children’s or adolescents’ experiences of living with symptoms of a chronic condition. Method: on a qualitative approach, taking Grounded Theory as a frame of reference and 11 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years hospitalized in a state university hospital as participants, data were collected by semi-structured interview using the “draw, write, and tell” technique. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and then analyzed following the steps of Grounded Theory. Results: analysis identified the category “Having to live with symptoms”, which comprised 5 subcategories featuring physical, emotional and general symptoms, the experience of living with multiple simultaneous symptoms, and the consequences of living with them. Conclusion: living with several symptoms entails limitations. Nursing needs to favor children’s and adolescents’ expressions of their experiences in order to minimize stressful situations and improve symptom management by planning individualized strategies.RESUMENObjetivo: comprender las experiencias de niños o adolescentes de vivir con síntomas de una enfermedad crónica. Método: con un enfoque cualitativo, tomando como marco de referencia la Teoría Fundamentada y como participantes a 11 niños y adolescentes de 6 a 18 años hospitalizados en un hospital universitario estatal, los datos se recolectaron mediante entrevista semiestructurada utilizando el método “dibujar, escribir y decir ”técnica. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas y transcritas, y luego analizadas siguiendo los pasos de Grounded Theory. Resultados: el análisis identificó la categoría “Tener que vivir con síntomas”, que comprendía 5 subcategorías que presentaban síntomas físicos, emocionales y generales, la experiencia de vivir con múltiples síntomas simultáneos y las consecuencias de vivir con ellos. Conclusión: vivir con varios síntomas conlleva limitaciones. La enfermería debe favorecer la expresión de las experiencias de los niños y adolescentes para minimizar las situaciones estresantes y mejorar el manejo de los síntomas mediante la planificación de estrategias individualizadas.