Non-selective Patients Research Articles

Is Internet Addiction Prevalent Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients? Data from Las Vegas and Tel Aviv

Internet addiction is known to be associated with depression. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) for depression were studied among non-selective methadone maintenance treatment patients from the United States (n = 164) and Israel (n = 113). Thirty percent were not exposed to the internet, and 2.9% (n = 8) had an “occasional/frequent problem.” The IAT and CES-D scores correlated significantly (p = .03). The non-exposed group was older, less educated, and had more benzodiazepine abusers. Unlike other behavioral addictions that characterized these patients, the internet addiction problem is rare, but should not be ignored.

Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection in High-Volume Surgical Centers: Long-Term Outcomes from the LAPCOLON Group Trial.

Strong evidence has confirmed the benefit of laparoscopy in colorectal cancer resection but remains a challenging procedure. It is not clear that such promising results in selected patients translate into a favorable risk-benefit balance in real practice. We conducted a multicenter national observational registry to assess operative and oncologic long-term outcomes following laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection. All patients with laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection between 2001 and 2004 were included. Data were extracted from the prospective Italian national database of 10 high-volume centers (≥40 colorectal cancer laparoscopic resections per year). Surgical technique and follow-up were standardized. Survivals were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. We reported 1832 patients with colon (58.5%) and rectal cancer (41.5%). TNM stage was 0-I-II in 1044 patients (57%) and III-IV in 788 patients (43%). Surgery included a totally laparoscopic procedure in 1820 patients (99.3%). Conversion was 10.5%. Postoperative morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 17 and 1.2%, respectively. Clinical anastomotic leakage rate was 8.3% (n=152). R0 resection was 95%. With a median follow-up of 54.2 months, cancer recurrence rate was 13.3%. At 5 years, cancer-free survival was 86.7%. Upon multivariate analysis, age (P=0.001) and TNM stage (P<0.001) were associated with cancer-free survival. Predictive factors of cancer recurrence were gender (P=0.029) and TNM stage (P<0.001). In high-volume centers and non-selective patients, laparoscopic colorectal resection for cancer achieves good operative results with satisfactory long-term oncologic results. Even in the laparoscopy era, age, gender, and TNM stage remain the most powerful predictor of oncologic outcomes.

Severe food allergy and anaphylaxis: Treatment, risk assessment and risk reduction

An anaphylactic reaction may be fatal if not recognised and managed appropriately with rapid treatment. Key steps in the management of anaphylaxis include eliminating additional exposure to the allergen, basic life-support measures and prompt intramuscular administration of adrenaline 0.01 mg/kg (maximum 0.5 mL). Adjunctive measures include nebulised bronchodilators for lower-airway obstruction, nebulised adrenaline for stridor, antihistamines and corticosteroids. Patients with an anaphylactic reaction should be admitted to a medical facility so that possible biphasic reactions may be observed and risk-reduction strategies initiated or reviewed after recovery from the acute episode. Factors associated with increased risk of severe reactions include co-existing asthma (and poor asthma control), previous severe reactions, delayed administration of adrenaline, adolescents and young adults, reaction to trace amounts of foods, use of non-selective β-blockers and patients who live far from medical care. Risk-reduction measures include providing education with regard to food allergy and a written emergency treatment plan on allergen avoidance, early symptom recognition and appropriate emergency treatment. Risk assessment allows stratification with provision of injectable adrenaline (preferably via an auto-injector) if necessary. Patients with ambulatory adrenaline should be provided with written instructions regarding the indications for and method of administration of this drug and trained in its administration. Patients and their caregivers should be instructed about how to avoid foods to which the former are allergic and provided with alternatives. Permission must be given to inform all relevant caregivers of the diagnosis of food allergy. The patient must always wear a MedicAlert necklace or bracelet and be encouraged to join an appropriate patient support organisation.

The upper limits of central neck dissection.

Central neck dissection (CND) is considered an imperative part of the treatment of patients with high-risk, well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. To examine the presence of lymphatic tissue and/or metastatic nodes in the upper part of the paratracheal region to determine the need to dissect this region as part of a paratracheal neck dissection. We prospectively enrolled 27 nonselective patients with surgical thyroid cancer (4 men and 23 women; median age, 43 years; range, 21-74 years) from June 1, 2010, through March 31, 2011, from a head and neck surgical oncology specialist group practice within the largest private hospital in Israel. All patients were scheduled to undergo unilateral (n = 23) or bilateral (n = 4) CND as their definitive surgical care. A total of 31 paratracheal neck dissections were performed among the 27 patients. The surgical specimens were divided into upper and lower paratracheal regions, separated by the nerve curve line (corresponding to the level of the cricoid). These specimens were thoroughly examined separately for normal and metastatic lymph nodes. A standard pathologic technique was used, with no dedicated personnel. The existence of lymphatic tissue and metastatic cells in all upper paratracheal surgical specimens. The surgical procedures were uneventful. Postoperative complications included temporary vocal cord palsy, minimal chyle leak, and wound infection. A median of 8 nodes were retrieved (range, 2-21). No lymphatic tissue was identified in all upper paratracheal dissection specimens. All benign and metastatic lymph nodes (mean, 5.3 and 2.5, respectively) were located in the lower paratracheal region specimens. All upper paratracheal surgical specimens (n = 31) consisted of only fibrofatty connective tissue and were devoid of lymph nodes, metastatic cells, or other endothelial-lined lymphatic structures. In this series of paratracheal neck dissections, the upper part of the paratracheal region contained no lymphatic tissue or cancer-bearing lymph nodes. The necessity to dissect this region, as part of conventional CND, is therefore challenged.

Safety and feasibility of transulnar versus transradial artery approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients

Background Transradial approach catheterization is now widely used in coronary angiography and angioplasty. The ulnar artery, which is one of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery, may be a potential approach for cardiac catheterization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a transulnar approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients. Methods A total of 535 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to transulnar approach (TUA) group (n=271) or transradial approach (TRA) group (n=264) upon arrival at the catheterization laboratory. Allen's test and inverse Allen's test were not routinely performed. Ultrasound-Doppler assessment of the forearm artery was performed before the procedure, two days after the procedure, and 30 days after the procedure. The primary endpoints of study were the rate of successful artery cannulation and the access-site related complications. The secondary endpoints included the number of needle punctures, total time for the procedure, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results Successful puncture of the objective artery was obtained in 91.5% of the patients in the TUA group, and 95.1% of the patients in the TRA group (P &gt;0.05). There was no significant difference in hematoma complications between the two groups (7.7% vs. 4.2%, P=0.100). A motor abnormality of the hand was observed in one patient in the TUA group. There were no arteriovenous fistula or pseudoaneurysm observed in our study. Three (1.1%) patients in the TUA group and 8 (3.0%) patients in the TRA group had occlusion of the access artery (P=0.137), but none of the patients had symptoms or signs of hand ischemia. There were no significant differences in MACE between the two groups during follow-up. Conclusion The transulnar approach is an effective and safe technique for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients.

Tolerance to alternative cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors in nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug hypersensitive patients

BackgroundNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) frequently cause adverse drug reactions. Many studies have shown that drugs which selectively inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) are safe alternatives in the majority of patients. However, hypersensitivity reactions to COX-2 inhibitors have been published. Hardly any data are available regarding the safety of alternatives in case of COX-2 inhibitor hypersensitivity. We aimed to investigate the tolerance to COX-2 inhibitors in patients with non-selective NSAID hypersensitivity. Furthermore, in COX-2 hypersensitive patients tolerance of a second COX-2 inhibitor was investigated.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 91 patients with proven non-selective NSAID hypersensitivity that underwent oral challenges with a COX-2 inhibitor. Patients with intolerance to the first challenged COX-2 inhibitor received a second challenge with a different COX-2 inhibitor.Results19 out of 91 (21%) patients had a positive reaction to the first oral challenge with a COX-2 inhibitor. 14 of them underwent a second challenge with a different COX-2 inhibitor and 12 (86%) did not react.ConclusionsA relatively high percentage (21%) of the non-selective NSAID hypersensitive patients did not tolerate a COX-2 inhibitor and oral challenge is advised prior to prescription of a COX-2 inhibitor. For the majority of patients reacting to a COX-2 inhibitor an alternative can be found.

Variables associated with perceived sleep disorders in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients

To characterize sleep disorders in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients, we evaluated sleep quality of 101 non-selective patients from our MMT clinic in Israel between July, 2003 and July, 2004 by using the self-report questionnaire Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Patients’ urine tests were analyzed for methadone metabolite, opiates, benzodiazepine, cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines. Their urine results for drug abuse throughout the months prior to filling in the questionnaire and their maintenance methadone doses were recorded. Drug abuse was defined by at least one positive urine test. Methadone serum levels were available in 55 patients, assessed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy. The patients’ self-reported chronic pain questionnaires and their diagnosed psychiatric disorders were analyzed. Out of the 101 study patients, 78.2% were male, 52.5% had psychiatric disorders, 46.5% reported having chronic pain and 46.5% had positive urine for benzodiazepine. The mean daily methadone dose was 157 ± 52.9 mg. The mean PSQI score was 9 ± 4.8 (75.2% had scores >5 indicating “poor sleepers”). PSQI scores were higher in patients with positive urine for benzodiazepine, chronic pain and psychiatric disorders and they correlated with years of opiate abuse before admission to MMT, and with the methadone dose ( r = 0.48, p < 0.0005). The latter two also correlated with each other. The PSQI was not correlated with duration in MMT, gender, age, abuse of opiates, cannabis or cocaine. We concluded that sleep disorders should be evaluated and treated among MMT patients, particularly in those with psychiatric disorders, benzodiazepine abuse, chronic pain and high methadone dose.

Adverse Prognostic Indicators in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients without Obvious Vascular or Nutritional Comorbidities

Factors that predict the occurrence of vascular events and poor patient survival in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients have not been clearly defined. Previous studies have focused on nonselective CAPD patients, in whom pre-existing comorbidity or poor health might complicate interpretation of the significance of individual factors. The present study was conducted with CAPD patients without severe vascular and nutritional comorbidity. This single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted with 66 prevalent CAPD patients without co-existing severe vascular or nutritional problems. The patients were enrolled in January 1999. We monitored baseline demographic data and clinical and laboratory characteristics including average clinic blood pressure (BP), hemoglobin (Hb), serum albumin, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum cholesterol, triglycerides, dialysate-to-plasma (D/P) creatinine, dialysis adequacy [Kt/V and creatinine clearance (CCr)], and protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance. We followed the patients for 3 years. Outcome measures were actuarial patient survival, time to occurrence of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), technique survival, and hospitalization rate. Mean age of the patients was 56.7 +/- 10.3 years. Mean duration on CAPD at the time of enrollment was 36.4 +/- 21.7 months. Nineteen of the patients (28.8%) had diabetes. Most of the patients [n = 55 (83.3%)] were using three 2-L exchanges daily. Mean body weight was 56.3 +/- 12.2 kg. Mean total weekly Kt/V was 1.91 +/- 0.47, and mean total weekly CCr was 75.3 +/- 30.6 L/1.73 m(2). Actuarial patient survival was 96.9% at 1 year, 90.5% at 2 years, and 75.3% at 3 years. Overall technique survival was 96.9% at 1 year, 95.1% at 2 years, and 89.1% at 3 years. Multivariate analysis showed that age, diabetes mellitus (DM), and body size (weight or surface area) were independent predictors of patient survival. We estimated that a 1-kg increase in body weight was associated with a 6% increase in the relative risk of death (p = 0.015; 95% confidence interval: 1.013 to 1.126). Patients with a body weight of 60 kg or less showed a significantly better 3-year survival as compared with patients with body weight greater than 60 kg (88.1% vs 58.3%, p = 0.0042). No significant predictors were identified for technique failure or occurrence of a major vascular event. High BP and DM were independent predictors for hospitalization. Dialysis adequacy indices and serum albumin showed no significant effect on any outcome measure. Our study showed that, in addition to age and DM, body size could also be a significant factor affecting survival of CAPD patients. However, the underlying causative mechanisms remain unclear and require further study.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy: Prospective Randomized Trial

Although classic open surgery is simple, expeditious, and effective, it has some drawbacks, including wound sepsis, delayed recovery, operative difficulties, and possibility of unnecessary appendectomies for false appendicitis. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability and safety of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) in a prospectively randomized trial. Seventy nonselective patients with suspected appendicitis were randomized to laparoscopic (n = 35, 17 male) or open appendectomy (n = 35, 15 male) and operated on an emergency basis. Operative findings, operating time, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were compared. We found that LA is associated with a shorter hospital stay, fewer postoperative complications, and better diagnostic accuracy, and it is recommended as the procedure of choice for the diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis.

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Distal Splenorenal Shunt

In 1971 a prospective, randomized trial was initiated to determine efficacy of the distal splenorenal shunt in the management of cirrhotic patients who had previously bled from esophageal varices. When entry into the trial was terminated in 1976, 26 patients had received the distal splenorenal shunt (selective) and 29 had undergone a nonselective shunting procedure (18 interposition mesorenal, six interposition mesocaval, and five other nonselective shunts). Three operative deaths occurred in each group. Early postoperative angiography revealed preservation of hepatic portal perfusion in 14 of 16 selective patients (88%), but in only one of 20 nonselective patients (5%; p < .001). Quantitative measures of hepatic function (maximal rate of urea synthesis or MRUS and Child's score) were similar to preoperative values in the selective group but were significantly decreased in nonselective patients on the first postoperative evaluation (p < .001 for MRUS; p < .05 for Child's score). Eighty-seven per cent of selective and 81% of nonselective patients have now been followed for three to six years since surgery. Late postoperative evaluation of 29 survivors (12 selective, 17 nonselective) still shows an advantage to the selective group with respect to MRUS, Child's score, and incidence of hepatopetal portal blood flow, but differences are no longer statistically significant. However, if the seven patients with portal flow (five selective; two nonselective) are compared to the 20 with absent portal flow (seven selective; 13 nonselective), the former group has significantly higher values for MRUS (p < .05) and Child's score (p < .025). No patient with continuing portal perfusion has developed encephalopathy as compared to a 45% incidence of this complication in individuals without portal flow (p < .05). No significant differences between selective and nonselective groups have appeared with respect to total cumulative mortality (ten selective; 38%; eight nonselective, 28%), shunt occlusion (two selective, 10%; five nonselective, 18%), or recurrent variceal hemorrhage (one selective, 4%; two nonselective, 8%). Overall, significantly fewer selective patients have developed postoperative encephalopathy (three selective, 12%; 15 nonselective, 52%; p < .001). Therefore, we conclude that the distal splenorenal shunt, especially when its objective of maintaining hepatic portal perfusion is achieved, results in significantly less morbidity than nonselective shunting procedures.