Moment Of Patient Research Articles

Drug utilization in patients starting haemodialysis with a focus on cardiovascular and antidiabetic medications: an epidemiological study in the Lazio region (Italy), 2016–2020

BackgroundEntering dialysis is a critical moment in patients’ healthcare journey, and little is known about drug therapy around it. A study funded by the Italian Medicines Agency offered the opportunity to leverage data from the Lazio Regional Dialysis and Transplant Registry (RRDTL) and perform an observational study on drug use patterns before and after initiating chronic dialysis.MethodsIndividuals initiating dialysis in 2016–2020 were identified from RRDTL, excluding patients with prior renal transplantation, stopping dialysis early, or dying within 12 months. Use of study drugs, predefined by clinicians, in the two years around the index date was retrieved from the drug claims register and described by semester. For each drug group, proportions of users (min 2 claims in 6 months) by semester, and intensity of treatment in terms of Defined Daily Doses (DDDs) for cardiovascular and antidiabetic agents were compared across semesters, stratifying by sex and age.ResultsIn our cohort of 3,882 patients we observed a general increase in drug use after initiating dialysis, with the mean number rising from 5.5 to 6.2. Cardiovascular agents accounted for the highest proportions, along with proton pump inhibitors and antithrombotics over all semesters. Dialysis-specific therapies showed the most evident increase, in particular anti-anaemics (iron 4-fold, erythropoietins almost 2-fold), anti-parathyroids (6-fold), and chelating agents (4-fold). Use of cardiovascular and antidiabetic drugs was characterised by significant variations in terms of patterns and intensity, with some differences between sexes and age groups.ConclusionsEntering dialysis is associated with increased use of specific drugs and goes along with adaptations of chronic therapies.

Joint contributions to sagittal plane total support moment in patients with knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BackgroundPatients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) demonstrate lower knee loading. This study aimed to determine whether sagittal plane TSM and joint contributions to total support moment (TSM) in the surgical limb are different between athletes who did and did not show radiological features of knee OA at 2 years after ACLR during triple hops (TH), single hop (TH), single-legged vertical jump (VJ), and walking. MethodsForty-one athletes with 2 years of unilateral ACLR surgery participated in this cross-sectional study. Athletes completed motion analysis testing of single-legged TH, SH, VJ, and walking tasks. Sagittal plane TSM and individual joint (ankle, knee, and hip) contributions to TSM were computed at peak knee flexion angle (TSM-PKF). Posterior-anterior radiographs were completed in standing and 30° knee flexion. Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) system was used to identify radiological features of knee OA in the medial compartment of the reconstructed knee (OA-group: KL ≥2; Non-OA group: KL<2). ResultsThere was a significant group-by-joint-by-task interaction for joint contributions to TSM-PKF (p = 0.012), with the OA-group (n = 13) had lower knee and higher hip contributions compared to the non-OA group during TH, SH, and VJ (p ≤ 0.049). There was a significant joint-by-group interaction for the joint contributions to TSM-PKF (p = 0.004), with the OA-group having lower knee (p = 0.003) and higher hip (p = 0.001) contributions compared to the Non-OA group. SignificanceThe OA-group exhibited lower knee and higher hip contributions to the sagittal plane TSM compared to the Non-OA group during the landing phase of single-limb high-demand activities. The OA-group exhibited decreased knee loading and compensated by shifting the mechanical load to the hip joint within the reconstructed knee. Decreased knee loading in the OA-group may have affected the required mechanical loading to maintain knee metabolism and integrity.

Can exercise interventions reduce external knee adduction moment during gait? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAn increased external knee adduction moment has been identified as a factor contributing to the progression of medial knee osteoarthritis. Interventions that reduce knee adduction moment may help prevent knee osteoarthritis onset and progression. While exercise interventions have been commonly used to treat knee osteoarthritis, whether exercises can modulate knee adduction moment in knee osteoarthritis patients remains unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine if exercise interventions are effective in reducing knee adduction moment during gait. MethodsStudy reports published through May 2023 were screened for pre-specified inclusion/exclusion criteria. Nine studies met the eligibility criteria and yielded 24 effect sizes comparing the reduction in knee adduction moment of the exercise intervention groups to the control groups. Moderator/experimental variables concerning characteristics of the exercise interventions and included subjects (e.g., sex, BMI, type of exercise, muscle group targeted, training volume, physical therapist supervision) that may contribute to variation among studies were explored through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. FindingsThe effect of exercise intervention on modulating knee adduction moment during gait was no better than control (ES = -0.004, P = 0.946). Sub-group analysis revealed that the effect sizes of studies containing only females (positive exercise effect) were significantly greater than studies containing both males and females. InterpretationExercise may not be effective in reducing knee adduction moment during gait. Clinicians aiming to decrease knee adduction moment in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis should consider alternative treatment options. Exploring the underlying mechanism(s) regarding a more positive response to exercises in females may help design more effective exercise interventions.

Апендикулярно-генітальний синдром у дітей

The importance of preserving the reproductive potential of the population of Ukraine is due to the increase in the number of women with infertility due to infectious and inflammatory diseases of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs, which were suffered in childhood and adolescence. Purpose - to determine and systemize of the most significant factors of appendicular-genital syndrome depending on the primary pathological focus; to develop a practically significant classification signs and an algorithm for examination and treatment of girls with combined pathology to improve the results of treatment of this group of patients. Materials and methods. It was carried out an analysis of the medical records of inpatients, girls, for the period from October 2019 to May 2022, who were hospitalized for urgent indications and operated on for acute surgical pathology of the organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis of an inflammatory nature. The age of the patients ranged from 4 to 17 years old (average age 11.0+0.5 years old). In the process of preliminary analysis, it was found that out of 203 patients who were to be treated surgically for the clinical picture of «acute abdomen», combined appendicular-genital pathology occurred in 13 girls. Results. It was determined that the key feature of appendicular-genital syndrome is the non-specificity of the clinical picture. In the appendicular form of the disease, the symptoms of acute appendicitis predominate in the pathological state, and in the genital form, the symptoms of acute adnexitis dominate. Connective appendicular-genital pathology in the catarrhal form of inflammation of the appendix was determined in 2 (15.39%) cases, in the phlegmonous form in 8 (61.54%) cases, in the gangrenous form in 2 (15.39%) cases, in periappendicular abscess - in 1 (7.68%) case. All patients in the study group underwent surgical treatment, the extent of which in each case was determined by the surgical findings and the prevalence of the pathological process. Most (61.58%) surgical interventions were performed laparoscopically, in compliance with the principles of maximally organ-preserving techniques (appendectomy, organ detorsion, stopping bleeding, excision of cysts, sanitation of the abdominal cavity, and, if necessary, drainage of the pelvic cavity). Only in 2 (15.38%) cases was the removal of the uterine appendages during their torsion, under the conditions of their obvious necrosis and the duration of the disease more than 72 hours. Conclusions. In order to improve the quality and speed of diagnosis of the combined inflammation of the appendix and uterine appendages, as structural elements of the syndrome «acute abdomen», the preoperative examination of patients should be multidisciplinary and necessarily include an examination by a pediatric surgeon, a pediatric gynecologist, and a pediatrician, with ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, pelvis, and retroperitoneal space. Frequency occurrence of appendicular-genital syndrome in girls is on average 6.4% of the total number of patients with the syndrome «acute abdomen». During the surgical remediation of the primary focus of inflammation relative to the appendages of the uterus, the tactics should be as organ-sparing as possible with extensive use of laparoscopic techniques for mandatory visual assessment of the organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis. Patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute appendicitis in combination with diseases of the uterine appendages should form a separate dispensary group, in which preventive examinations are recommended once every 3 months during the first postoperative year, and thereafter once every 6 months until the moment of patient’s transfer to an adult medical and preventive institution. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Walk Smarter, Not Harder: Effects of Cadence Manipulation on Gait Biomechanics in Patients with Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of walking cadence on knee flexion angular impulse and peak external flexion moment in patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA). Forty-eight patients with patellofemoral OA underwent repeated quantitative gait analyses on an instrumented treadmill using a randomized crossover design. Walking trials were conducted at a fixed gait speed, under three cadence conditions: (i) preferred cadence, (ii) +10% increased cadence, and (iii) -10% decreased cadence, completed in random order. Using a linear mixed model, we tested the association of cadence conditions with surrogate measures of patellofemoral load (primary outcome measure: knee flexion angular impulse) while controlling for body mass. We then repeated the analyses while sequentially replacing the dependent variable with secondary outcome measures. Walking with increased cadence decreased (adjusted mean difference [95% confidence interval]) the knee flexion angular impulse (-0.85 N·m·s -1 [-1.52 to -0.18], d = 0.20) and peak knee flexion moment (-4.11 N·m [-7.35 to -0.86], d = 0.24), whereas walking with decreased cadence increased the knee flexion angular impulse (1.83 N·m·s -1 [1.15 to 2.49], d = 0.42) and peak knee flexion moment (3.55 N·m [0.30 to 6.78], d = 0.21). Similar decreases and increases were observed for secondary outcome measures. Walking with increased cadence, while maintaining a fixed gait speed, reduces knee flexion angular impulse as well as other surrogate measures of knee loading in patients with patellofemoral OA.

Peak Moments im Ärzt*innen-Patient*innen-Kontakt der hausärztlichen Praxis–eine qualitative Studie mit Allgemeinmediziner*innen in Deutschland

BackgroundSuccessful therapy is influenced by successful communication and a relationship built on trust. Physician empathy and listening skills appear particularly relevant. Based on their empirical experience, general practitioners report special moments in their patients during their medical consultations. Abraham Maslow coined the term “peak experience” for these special moments, which are rare and deeply moving. The present study examines “peak moments” in terms of existence, origin, characterization, doctor perception, and the overall effect on the doctor-patient relationship. MethodA qualitative study design was chosen. Interviews with family practitioners were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis by Kuckartz. In order to collect socio-demographic information the participants were asked to complete a short questionnaire. ResultsThe study participants (n=17) confirmed the existence of peak moments in doctor-patient interactions in their GP practices. These moments came about spontaneously, facilitated by specific communication strategies and intervention measures to support a situation in which peak moments become possible. To bring about a peak moment in patients, specific requirements need to be met on the part of both doctors and patients. Primary care physicians participating agreed that a peak moment led to relaxation and a stronger trust in the relationship between doctor and patient. ConclusionsFamily physicians perceive peak moments to be an important element to build trust between themselves and their patients, for the patients' increased “self-awareness”, and to improve the chances of treatment success. To enable peak moment conditions for general practitioners, a framework of health policy measures such as education and training is recommended, along with an assessment of the time needed for doctor-patient interactions.

Prognostic signs of an unfavorable course of coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background. Despite the successful development of medical technologies in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease, mortality due to cardiovascular diseases in the population of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is not reduced. The development of an algorithm for the early diagnosis of coronary heart di­sease and ways to correct it is a topical problem of cardiology and endocrinology. The purpose is to determine prognostic signs for an unfavorable course of coronary heart disease and develop a table of test probabilities in order to enhance the effectiveness of risk stratification in patients with type 2 DM. Materials and methods. During 2017–2019, there were observed 40 patients (16 men and 24 women) with type 2 DM in combination with coronary heart disease. We took into account the presence of acute myocardial infarction, acute cerebrovascular accidents (stroke), repeated surgical interventions (percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting) for the last 3 years. The average age of patients was 65.5 years. Results. In total, 119 signs recorded in the first three days from the moment of patient’s admission were analyzed as possible predictors of an unfavorable prognosis. As markers of coronary heart disease, parameters were adopted that showed the highest occurrence in the group of patients with adverse course of DM and coronary heart disease. The most patho­gnomonic predictors of coronary heart disease progression in patients with type 2 DM were left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction &lt; 40 %), systolic blood pressure &gt; 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure above 100 mmHg, electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia, persisting upon discharge from the hospital. Conclusions. Criteria that negatively affect the long-term outcome of coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes are decompensation of DM, in particular, a high level of fasting glycemia (&gt; 13 mmol/l), as well as an increase in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The effects of knee pain on knee contact force and external knee adduction moment in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of knee pain, leading to physical dysfunction. External knee adduction moment (KAM), a surrogate measure of knee contact force (KCF) in the medial compartment, is related to knee pain, but the association between KCF and pain severity remains unclear. This study aimed to reveal the differences in KCF due to pain severity. Twenty-eight patients with knee OA were evaluated knee symptoms including pain severity via the Knee Society Score. Based on the median symptom score, 17 points in this study, subjects were classified as having Mild symptomatic OA (n = 15) and Severe symptomatic OA (n = 13). Subjects walked three times at a comfortable speed along a six-meter walkway, and we calculated KAM during the stance phase. KCF magnitude and distribution were also computed using the subject-specific musculoskeletal model, considering physical characteristics such as the femorotibial angle measured by X-ray. No differences in physical characteristics such as femorotibial angle and gait speed were found by symptom severity, whereas KAM and medial KCF at minimum and second peak in Severe symptomatic OA patients were significantly greater than those in Mild symptomatic OA. A significant medial shift of KCF in Severe symptomatic OA was also seen at first peak and minimum. Severe symptomatic OA had a greater medial KCF and medial shift of KCF. Detailed evaluations of KCF magnitude and distribution in addition to KAM would provide crucial information on knee contact force in relation to symptom severity.

A neural network to predict the knee adduction moment in patients with osteoarthritis using anatomical landmarks obtainable from 2D video analysis

The knee adduction moment (KAM) can inform treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis; however, measuring the KAM requires an expensive gait analysis laboratory. We evaluated the feasibility of predicting the peak KAM during natural and modified walking patterns using the positions of anatomical landmarks that could be identified from video analysis. Using inverse dynamics, we calculated the KAM for 86 individuals (64 with knee osteoarthritis, 22 without) walking naturally and with foot progression angle modifications. We trained a neural network to predict the peak KAM using the 3-dimensional positions of 13 anatomical landmarks measured with motion capture (3D neural network). We also trained models to predict the peak KAM using 2-dimensional subsets of the dataset to simulate 2-dimensional video analysis (frontal and sagittal plane neural networks). Model performance was evaluated on a held-out, 8-person test set that included steps from all trials. The 3D neural network predicted the peak KAM for all test steps with r2( Murray etal., 2012) 2=0.78. This model predicted individuals' average peak KAM during natural walking with r2( Murray etal., 2012) 2=0.86 and classified which 15° foot progression angle modifications reduced the peak KAM with accuracy=0.85. The frontal plane neural network predicted peak KAM with similar accuracy (r2( Murray etal., 2012) 2=0.85) to the 3D neural network, but the sagittal plane neural network did not (r2( Murray etal., 2012) 2=0.14). Using the positions of anatomical landmarks from motion capture, a neural network accurately predicted the peak KAM during natural and modified walking. This study demonstrates the feasibility of measuring the peak KAM using positions obtainable from 2D video analysis.

ПОЗИТРОННО-ЭМИССИОННОЙ ТОМОГРАФИЯ С 18F-ФДГ В ДИАГНОСТИКЕ ЭНДОКАРДИТА ПРОТЕЗИРОВАННОГО КЛАПАНА СЕРДЦА

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the diagnostic significance of positron emission tomography / computed tomography with 18F -fluorodeoxyglucose (18F -FDG PET/CT) for the diagnosis of prosthetic endocarditis. Methods of research. The study included 82 patients with suspected prosthetic endocarditis in accordance with the criteria proposed by Duke University [1-5]. The patients received hospital treatment at the State Institution RSPC "Cardiology" from January 2016 to March 2021. The study was of a prospective, non-randomized, single-center cohort design. The duration of the monitor period was 12 months from the moment of patients’ inclusion in the study. Whole-body positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) examinations were performed in 82 patients. 27 patients were selected for surgical treatment. Conservative treatment group included 16 patients. 27 patients were selected into the observation group, they were suspected to have prosthetic heart valve infection in the primary referral and underwent PET/CT scanning, according to which the diagnosis of prosthetic endocarditis was excluded. The event under the study did not develop in this group during the year of observation. Results and conclusion. The history of infective endocarditis was not statistically significant and did not increase the risk of developing prosthetic endocarditis in the sample presented. The Duke criteria are less reliable in establishing the diagnosis of prosthetic endocarditis. The median number of days from the date of the first prosthesis implantation to the onset of prosthetic endocarditis was about 4 years. This study revealed that the development of the infectious process in the area of the prosthesis was noted in a more distant postoperative period compared to literature data. Histological confirmation of infection was noted in 100% (27 patients) of cases in reoperated patients. The presence of a more formidable complication such as valve ring abscess located mainly in the projection of the aortic valve ring was quite common in both groups. Presepsin and Interleukin-6 have a statistically significant (U = 394,50 p = 0,01 and U = 94,50 p = 0.004) value in the prognosis of prosthetic endocarditis. Considering the data obtained from ROC analysis, it can be said that the cut-off point at which it is possible to diagnose prosthetic endocarditis based on PETCT is 2.85. The presented methods for the interpretation of whole-body FDG-PET/CT images of patients with suspected infectious complications after cardiac surgery, as well as with the presence of prosthetic endocarditis, show high sensitivity and specificity.

Dental software classification and dento-facial interdisciplinary planning platform.

Despite all advantages provided by the digital workflow, its application in clinical practice is still more focused on device manufacturing and clinical execution than on treatment planning and communication. The most challenging phases of treatment, comprehensive planning, diagnosis, risk assessment, and decision-making, are still performed without significant assistance from digital technologies. This article proposes a new dental software classification based on the digital workflow timeline, considering the moment of patient's case acceptance as key in this classification, and presents the ideal software tools for each phase. The proposed classification will help clinicians and dental laboratories to choose the most appropriate software during the treatment planning phase and integrate virtual plans with other software platforms for digitally guided execution. A dento-facial interdisciplinary planning platform virtually simulates interdisciplinary clinical procedures and assists in the decision-making process. The suggested classification assists professionals in different phases of the digital workflow and provides guidelines for improvement and development of digital technologies before treatment plan acceptance by the patient. Three-dimensional interdisciplinary simulations allow clinicians to visualize how each dental procedure influences further treatments. With this treatment planning approach, predictability of different procedures in restorative dentistry, orthodontics, implant dentistry, periodontal, and oral maxillofacial surgery is improved.

The Effect of Correction Algorithms on Knee Kinematics and Kinetics during Gait of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

In gait analysis, the accuracy of knee joint angles and moments is critical for clinical decision-making. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of two existing algorithms for knee joint axis correction under pathological conditions. Gait data from 20 healthy participants and 20 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) were collected using a motion capture system. An algorithm based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a functional joint-based algorithm (FJA) were used to define the knee joint flexion axis. The results show that PCA decreased crosstalk for both groups, and FJA reduced crosstalk in patients with knee OA only. PCA decreased the range of motions of patients with knee OA in the direction of abduction/adduction significantly. There was a significant increase in the maximum knee flexion moment of patients with knee OA by FJA. The results indicate that both algorithms can efficiently reduce crosstalk for gait from patients with knee OA, which can further influence the results of knee joint angles and moments. We recommend that the correction algorithms be applied in clinical gait analysis with patients with knee OA.

Questions of the mathematical modeling of the progression of coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

In 2017-2019, 40 patients were examined (16 of them men, 24 women) with type 2 diabetes mellitus in combination with IHD, of which 38 patients had a favorable course and 8 with an unfavorable course. For an unfavorable profile, the presence of strokes, mycocardial infarction (fatal, nonfatal), repeated hospitalizations for worsening chronic heart failure (decrease in ejection fraction), repeated surgical interventions (percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting) for the current 3 years was taken into account. The average age of patients was 65.5 years. In total, 119 signs recorded in the first three days from the moment of patient's arrival were analyzed as possible predictors of an unfavorable prognosis. From this whole set, a number of parameters with corresponding values ​​were selected as markers of coronary heart disease, which showed the highest incidence rate in the group of patients with adverse course (NBT) and the highest in the group of patients with favorable course (BT). the most pathognomonic predictors of IHD progression in patients with type 2 diabetes were systolic LV dysfunction (fv &lt;40%), SBP&gt; 160 mm Hg and/or DBP above 100 mm Hg. Art., severe angina pectoris, LVH and ECG signs of myocardial ischemia, persisting upon discharge from the hospital, history of ACVA comorbidity plus DM-2.

Biomechanical analysis on total knee replacement patients during gait: Medial pivot or posterior stabilized design?

BackgroundTotal Knee Replacement surgery restores joint function in patients with advanced osteoarthritis. There are several prostheses available based on different mechanisms, which guarantee knee stability during Activities of Daily Living. The aim of this study is to compare ball-in-socket (or Medial Pivot) and post-cam mechanisms to detect possible differences in terms of biomechanical parameters between these two prosthesis designs and to evaluate which design is closer to physiological biomechanics. MethodsA kinematics, kinetics and electromyography lower limb analyses were performed during gait on sixty subjects: twenty with Medial Pivot prosthesis, twenty with posterior stabilized prosthesis and twenty healthy subjects to obtain a physiologic reference. FindingsTotal Knee Replacement gait pattern for both patient groups were characterized by reduced walking speed, reduced stride length and increased stance time respect to control group. Comparison between Medial Pivot and Posterior Stabilized groups showed a reduction of knee flexion and flexor moment in patients with ball-in-socket mechanism. A prolonged muscular activity of rectus femoris was observed in Medial Pivot patients compared to Posterior Stabilized and control groups. Interpretation“Stiff knee pattern” mechanism was showed for both patient groups but more enhanced in Medial Pivot patients. Even though the Posterior Stabilized design introduces the non-physiological paradoxical motion and the Medial Pivot design seems to better reproduce the physiological condylar movement as gait analysis parameters, including kinematics, kinetics and electromyographic parameters were closer to control group and, in turn, to physiological gait for the Posterior Stabilized than Medial Pivot group parameters.

The effects of two gait modifications for knee adduction moment in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Purpose: Purpose: Knee adduction moment (KAM) relates to medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). Several gait modifications have been reported to reduce KAM to ameliorate knee OA. Nanba style of walking (N walk) and walking with a continuous draw-in maneuver (DI walk) have biomechanical effects that reduce the KAM in healthy young individuals. It remains unknown, however, whether these biomechanical maneuvers reduce the KAM in patients with knee OA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the N walk and DI walk on KAM in patients with knee OA.

The rocks and hard places of MAiD: a qualitative study of nursing practice in the context of legislated assisted death

BackgroundMedical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada in June, 2016. The Canadian government’s decision to legislate assisted dying, an approach that requires a high degree of obligation, precision, and delegation, has resulted in unique challenges for health care and for nursing practice. The purpose of this study was to better understand the implications of a legislated approach to assisted death for nurses’ experiences and nursing practice.MethodsThe study used a qualitative approach guided by Interpretive Description. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 59 registered nurses and nurse practitioners. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and managed using qualitative analysis software. Analysis followed a procedure of data immersion, open coding, constant comparative analysis, and the construction of a thematic and interpretive account.ResultsNurses in this study described great variability in how MAiD had been enacted in their work context and the practice supports available to guide their practice. The development of systems to support MAiD, or lack thereof, was largely driven by persons in influential leadership positions. Workplaces that supported a range of nurses’ moral responses to MAiD were most effective in supporting nurses’ well-being during this impactful change in practice. Participants cited the importance of teamwork in providing high quality MAiD-related care; although, many worked without the benefit of a team. Nursing work related to MAiD was highly complex, largely because of the need for patient-centered care in systems that were not always organized to support such care. In the absence of adequate practice supports, some nurses were choosing to limit their involvement in MAiD.ConclusionsData obtained in this study suggested that some workplace contexts still lack the necessary supports for nurses to confidently meet the precision required of a legislated approach to MAiD. Without accessible palliative care, sufficient providers, a supportive team, practice supports, and a context that allowed nurses to have a range of responses to MAiD, nurses felt they were legally and morally at risk. Nurses seeking to provide the compassionate care consistent with such a momentous moment in patients’ lives, without suitable supports, find themselves caught between the proverbial rock and hard place.

Gait kinematics of the hip, pelvis, and trunk associated with external hip adduction moment in patients with secondary hip osteoarthritis: toward determination of the key point in gait modification

BackgroundA larger daily cumulative hip loading, which is the product of the external hip adduction moment (HAM) impulse during gait and the number of steps per day has been identified as a factor associated with the progression of secondary hip osteoarthritis (OA). The cause of the increased HAM impulse in patients with hip OA has not been identified. The purpose of this study was to identify the gait parameters associated with HAM impulse during gait in patients with secondary hip OA.MethodsFifty-five patients (age 22–65 years) with mild-to-moderate secondary hip OA participated in this cross-sectional study. The HAM impulse during gait was measured using a three-dimensional gait analysis system. To identify the gait parameters associated with HAM impulse, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed. The first model (basic model) included body weight and stance phase duration. The second models included gait parameters (gait speed; ground reaction force [GRF] in frontal plane; and hip, pelvic, and trunk angle in frontal plane) and hip pain in addition to the basic model.ResultsBody weight and stance phase duration explained 61% of the variance in HAM impulse. In the second model, which took into account body weight and stance phase duration, hip adduction angle (9.4%), pelvic tilt (6.5%), and trunk lean (3.2%) in addition to GRF explained the variance in the HAM impulse. Whereas larger hip adduction angle and pelvic tilt toward the swing limb were associated with a larger HAM impulse, larger trunk lean toward the stance limb was associated with smaller HAM impulse.ConclusionIn patients with excessive hip adduction and pelvic tilt toward the swing limb during gait, gait modification may contribute to the reduction of hip joint loading.

Evaluation of quality of life profile of patients submitted to bichectomy

Introduction: The bichectomy has been increasingly sought in dental practice, whether due to functional or aesthetic complaints. It is considered an aesthetic and functional surgery, for improving both facial harmony and chewing. Objective: This study aimed to establish a quality of life profile of patients submitted to bichectomy surgery in a private service in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Material and methods: The OHIP-14 was applied in a single moment in patients who underwent bichectomy in the last 6 to 18 months. Results: Thirty-six individuals of both sexes were evaluated, being 1 man and 35 women, with the median age of 31 (19-53) years. The median OHIP-14 scores were 0.00 (0-24) points. There was no association between OHIP-14 with age, postoperative complications, postoperative time or tobacco smoking (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: The individuals were satisfied after performing the surgical procedure, presenting very low scores when compared to the literature.

Evaluation of quality of life profile of patients submitted to bichectomy

The bichectomy has been increasingly sought in dental practice, whether due to functional or aesthetic complaints. It is considered an aesthetic and functional surgery, for improving both facial harmony and chewing. Objective: This study aimed to establish a quality of life profile of patients submitted to bichectomy surgery in a private service in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Material and methods: The OHIP-14 was applied in a single moment in patients who underwent bichectomy in the last 6 to 18 months. Results: Thirty-six individuals of both sexes were evaluated, being 1 man and 35 women, with the median age of 31 (19-53) years. The median OHIP-14 scores were 0.00 (0-24) points. There was no association between OHIP-14 with age, postoperative complications, postoperative time or tobacco smoking (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: The individuals were satisfied after performing the surgical procedure, presenting very low scores when compared to the literature.

Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head in Dogs - Retrospective Study

Background: The avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a development disease caused by ischemic necrosis, which is mainly observed in young dogs. The etiology of the disease remains controversial. The diagnosis requires imaging exams such as MRI and radiographs. Thus, the aim of the current study was to retrospectively assess a population of dogs with avascular necrosis of the femoral head in order to feature the disease, as well as to analyze the radiographic appearance of the lesion at the moment of patient consultation.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: The signalment factors of dogs (breed, gender, age and body mass), the affected hind limb, the radiographic appearance of the lesion, the clinical signs at the moment of patient consultation, the time of occurrence and the type of treatment were evaluated. The disease was radiographically classified according to the previously described items. Forty-three cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head were identified, 97.67% presented lameness and pain during palpation of the hip joint; and 54.34%, were 1 week to 4 months old. Females represented 58.13% of the sample, and 65.11% of them weighed from 2.6 to 4.9 kg. Based on the radiographic classification, 4.34% were Grade 1; 32.60%, Grade 2; 8.69%, Grade 3; 19.56%, Grade 4; and 34.78%, Grade 5. The femoral head and neck ostectomy was performed in 42 hind limbs (91.30%); 42.85% of the dogs reached total functional recovery and 26.19% required physiotherapy and rehabilitation.Discussion: The present sample was composed of 25 dogs, which were 6-to-11-month old at the moment of patient consultation, but 17 dogs were 12-to-36-month old at this time; only one dog was older than 36 months. It may be associated with the non-recognition of clinical signs by the owners, rather than with the late-onset form of the disease. With respect to the breed, pinscher, Yorkshire, poodle, Lhasa apso, pug were most frequently observed. However, 7 dogs were crossbreed. Such group differed from that of a review involving 188 cases encompassing West Highland white terrier, Cairn terrier and poodle as the most commonly affected breeds. No sex predilection was found in a study comprising 188 cases, but in another study comprising 14 dogs, female predilection was observed. Likewise, the females represented 58.13% of cases in the present study; and 41.86% of the participants were male. The mean body mass of the dogs in the current study was 4.33 kg, which matches the small breed dogs, which are most affected by the disease. Clinical signs of non-weightbearing lameness or an intermittent subtle lameness are common in the avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Lameness of the affected hind limb was observed in 69.76% of the cases in the present study, but 2.32% showed no lameness. Occasionally, the avascular necrosis of the femoral head is bilaterally found in 12% to 16.5% of the cases. Only 3 out of the 43 cases assessed in the present study were bilateral. Since the lesions were more frequent in Grades 2 and 5, there is less chance of success through the conservative treatment. Thus, the femoral head and neck ostectomy was the surgical procedure performed in 42 hind limbs. The procedure is used to provide pain relief and to reduce the signs of lameness. In conclusion, the population assessed in the present study was composed of small size dogs, mean body mass 4.33 kg, no sex predilection, mostly presenting unilateral lesions and higher Grade 2 and Grade 5 radiographic lesion frequency.Keywords: radiographic, joint, canine, hip.