Prospective Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

#2933 Quality of care in patients after kidney transplantation with or without telemedicine

Abstract Background and Aims Patients after transplantation require special attention to avoid complications. This includes trained medical doctors but also adherent patients and the integration of other health provider. eHealth products have the potential to improve medical care further. Therefore, we established a telemedicine module in addition to the standard care, which is ongoing since 2019. Patients receive a smartphone app to provide vital signs, confirm the intake of medication and have access to their laboratory values, current medication plan and a medication alert. A telemedicine team values the incoming data and acts if needed (www.maccs-projekt.de). In this study, we want to evaluate how satisfied patients are with telemedicine compared to patients receiving standard care only. Method This is a monocentric and prospective cross-sectional study including a set of questionnaires. We have a positive decision of ethics committee at our center. The study started 2020 and is still ongoing. We ask patients with appointments at our center for participation. If a signed consent is available, patients receive a set of questionnaires. We choose the ZAPA (https://www.kbv.de/media/sp/ZAP_Fragebogen_Englisch.pdf) and ZUF-8 (https://gfqg.de/forschung/assessment/zuf-8), both validated questionnaires, to evaluate the quality of care. Results Demographic data: To date 247 patients participate, 156 (63.2%) with additional telemedicine and 91 (36.8%) as control (68% male). Median age is 57 years (±13.59 years). The youngest participant in the study is 21 years old, and the oldest is 85 years old, resulting in an age range of 64 years. In this population, the data indicate the following primary causes for transplantation: IgA Nephropathy (18.1%), ADPKD/Polycystic Kidney Disease (16.5%), unknown aetiology (8.6%), Chronic Glomerulonephritis (6.6%), and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (4.1%). Collectively, these conditions account for 53.9% of the underlying diseases leading to transplantation in this cohort. All patients are kidney recipients, 24 patients (9.7%) received a second kidney transplant, while only three patients (1.2%) received three kidneys. Nine patients (3.6%) had a mono pancreas transplantation, three patients (1.2%) received two pancreas and one patient (4%) had three pancreas transplantations. Two patients (8%) received a liver transplantation. The median after kidney transplantation is eleven years (± 9.4 years). The maximum of a functioning kidney is currently 39 years. Questionnaires: The ZAP evaluates the satisfaction of patients with their outpatient care centers. The questionnaire has five categories measuring various aspects of medical care (scale 0 to 100 points, higher values indicate greater satisfaction). The results are shown in Table 1. In average 94.7 to 96.8% of patients participated on this test. The questionnaire ZUF-8 evaluates the satisfaction of patients with the current care (every kind of care can be estimated). ZUF-8 includes eight questions and has a range of eight to 32 points. Higher sums indicate better satisfaction. The telemedicine group had a mean of 28.6 points (±3.2 points) and the control group a mean of 28.8 points (±3.4 points). Conclusion All over, patients are highly satisfied with the standard care after transplantation at our center. Patients with access to telemedicine seem to benefit from help regarding organization of their treatment plan. The data indicate trend to better doctor-patient interaction and cooperation of the doctor to support patients, although testing for significance could not rule out the null hypothesis. As the trial is still ongoing, we plan further evaluations with more participants.

Perception of skin cancer risk and sun protective practices in individuals with vitiligo: a prospective international cross-sectional survey

Many individuals with vitiligo are uncertain about their skin cancer risk, phototherapy risks, and recommended sun protective practices. This study examined the perceived skin cancer risk and sun protective practices among individuals living with vitiligo. A secondary objective was to understand where participants obtain this information. This was a prospective cross-sectional study. An online survey was distributed to vitiligo support group leaders globally who shared the survey with their members. Individuals over the age of 18 and with vitiligo were included. There were 209 survey respondents, the majority were between the ages 35–54 (45.5%, n = 95), female (70.8%, n = 148), White (66.0%, n = 138). Nearly half of respondents believed they were at increased risk of skin cancer because of their vitiligo (45.5%, n = 95) and nearly a quarter (22.5%, n = 47) believed that phototherapy increased their risk of skin cancer. Having vitiligo affected sun protective practices with less than a quarter (24.4%, n = 51) of respondents using sunscreen daily or often prior to their vitiligo diagnosis in comparison to the majority of respondents (60.3%, n = 126) using it after their vitiligo diagnosis. The three most common sources where patients obtained information were the internet and social media (46.4%, n = 97), vitiligo support groups (23.4%, n = 49), and dermatologists (20.6%, n = 43). Despite evidence indicating a decreased risk of skin cancer in individuals with vitiligo and supporting the safety of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy, many participants believed they were at an increased risk of skin cancer. Findings were sub-stratified and showed differences in sunscreen usage based on gender, skin color, and percent depigmentation. This study also found nearly half of respondents obtained information related to vitiligo from the internet and social media. The number of participants may limit the generalizability of the findings. Survey questionnaires are also subject to response bias. The findings from this study highlight demographic variations in sunscreen usage which may help guide the development of targeted interventions to improve sun protective behaviors among diverse populations with vitiligo. In addition, this study suggests certain sun protective practices and skin cancer risk perceptions may vary based on extent of depigmentation. Lastly, this study also demonstrates the internet and social media as a popular source for obtaining information, emphasizing the need for dermatologists to leverage various online communication channels to help disseminate accurate information.

Pilot deployment of a community health care worker in distributing and offering the COVID-19 AgRDT in Tanzania.

A pilot implementation of the rapid diagnostic test program was performed to collect evidence of the feasibility, acceptability, and uptake of the COVID-19 AgRDT in Tanzania. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study in the community to provide quantitative details of the pilot implementation of the antigen rapid diagnostic test (AgRDT) in Tanzania. This study was undertaken between March 2022 and September 2022. The pilot was implemented by distributing and offering test kits to people suspected of having COVID-19 in Dar es Salaam through community health workers. A total of 1039 participants consented to participate in the survey. All the participants reported having heard about the disease. The radio was the main source (93.2%) of information on COVID-19. With regard to prevention measures, approximately 930 (89.5%) of the respondents thought that COVID-19 could be prevented. Approximately 1035 (99.6%) participants reported that they were willing to have a COVID-19 AgRDT test and wait for 20 min for the results. With regard to the participants' opinions on the AgRDT device, the majority 907 (87.3%) felt comfortable with the test, and 1,029 (99.0%) were very likely to recommend the AgRDT test to their friends. The majority of participants 848 (83.1%) mentioned that they would be willing to pay for the test if it was not available for free. The results suggest overall good acceptance of the COVID-19 AgRDT test. It is evident that the use of trained community healthcare workers allows easy screening of all possible suspects and helps them receive early treatment.

Enhancing medication management in hemodialysis patients: Exploring the impact of patient-centered pharmacist care and motivational interviewing.

Patients on hemodialysis (HD) often uses several medications, making them highly susceptible to medication-related problems (MRP) thereby leading to medication nonadherence. Therefore, an innovative pharmaceutical care strategy incorporating drug therapy optimization (DTO) and motivational interviewing (MI) can mitigate medication-related problems and optimize patient care. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of pharmacist led interventions in utilizing DTO and MI techniques in managing medication related problems among patients undergoing hemodialysis. A12-months, cross sectional prospective study was conducted among 63 End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients on HD. DTO was conducted by the pharmacist to identify the MRP by reviewing complete medication list gathered from patient interview and medical records. All MRPs was classified using the PCNE classification version 9.00 and medication issues, that require patient involvement were categorized as patient-related, while those that necessitate physician intervention were classified as physician-related. The DTO was performed at the baseline, 6-month and at the final month of the study. Identified medication issues were communicated to the site nephrologist and was tracked during next follow up. Whereas MI was conducted physically at Month-3 and via telephone on month-6 and month-9 to address patient related medication issues. Mean age of the study population was 48.5±14 years. While the mean number of prescribed medications was 8.1±2 with 57% of the patients taking more than 5 types of medication. After 12 months of pharmacist intervention using DTO and MI, a mean reduction in MRP was observed for both patient-related and physician-related MRPs across three time series. However, further analysis using repeated measure ANOVA revealed that the reduction in patient-related MRPs was statistically significant [F(1.491, 92.412) = 60.921, p < 0.05], while no statistically significant difference was detected in physician-related MRPs [F(2, 124) = 2.216, P = 0.113]. Pharmaceutical care service through DTO and MI can effectively reduce and prevent drug-related issues to optimize medication therapy among HD patients.

Attributes of leadership skill development in high-performance pre-hospital medical teams: results of an international multi-service prospective study

BackgroundsTeam leadership skills of physicians working in high-performing medical teams are directly related to outcome. It is currently unclear how these skills can best be developed. Therefore, in this multi-national cross-sectional prospective study, we explored the development of these skills in relation to physician-, organization- and training characteristics of Helicopter Emergency Medicine Service (HEMS) physicians from services in Europe, the United States of America and Australia.MethodsPhysicians were asked to complete a survey regarding their HEMS service, training, and background as well as a full Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ). Primary outcomes were the 12 leadership subdomain scores as described in the LBDQ. Secondary outcome measures were the association of LBDQ subdomain scores with specific physician-, organization- or training characteristics and self-reported ways to improve leadership skills in HEMS physicians.ResultsIn total, 120 HEMS physicians completed the questionnaire. Overall, leadership LBDQ subdomain scores were high (10 out of 12 subdomains exceeded 70% of the maximum score). Whereas physician characteristics such as experience or base-specialty were unrelated to leadership qualities, both organization- and training characteristics were important determinants of leadership skill development. Attention to leadership skills during service induction, ongoing leadership training, having standards in place to ensure (regular) scenario training and holding structured mission debriefs each correlated with multiple LBDQ subdomain scores.ConclusionsOngoing training of leadership skills should be stimulated and facilitated by organizations as it contributes to higher levels of proficiency, which may translate into a positive effect on patient outcomes.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Association between gait video information and general cardiovascular diseases: a prospective cross-sectional study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) may not be detected in time with conventional clinical approaches. Abnormal gait patterns have been associated with pathological conditions and can be monitored continuously by gait video. We aim to test the association between non-contact, video-based gait information and general CVD status. Individuals undergoing confirmatory CVD evaluation were included in a prospective, cross-sectional study. Gait videos were recorded with a Kinect camera. Gait features were extracted from gait videos to correlate with the composite and individual components of CVD, including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular events. The incremental value of incorporating gait information with traditional CVD clinical variables was also evaluated. Three hundred fifty-two participants were included in the final analysis [mean (standard deviation) age, 59.4 (9.8) years; 25.3% were female]. Compared with the baseline clinical variable model [area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) 0.717, (0.690-0.743)], the gait feature model demonstrated statistically better performance [AUC 0.753, (0.726-0.780)] in predicting the composite CVD, with further incremental value when incorporated with the clinical variables [AUC 0.764, (0.741-0.786)]. Notably, gait features exhibited varied association with different CVD component conditions, especially for peripheral artery disease [AUC 0.752, (0.728-0.775)] and heart failure [0.733, (0.707-0.758)]. Additional analyses also revealed association of gait information with CVD risk factors and the established CVD risk score. We demonstrated the association and predictive value of non-contact, video-based gait information for general CVD status. Further studies for gait video-based daily living CVD monitoring are promising.

An observational prospective cross-sectional study on extravascular lung water by lung ultrasound as a guide to fluid resuscitation therapy in adult septic shock in tertiary care hospital in central India

Background Septic shock is a life-threatening condition characterized by systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction, with fluid resuscitation being a cornerstone of management. However, indiscriminate fluid administration can lead to fluid overload and worsen outcomes. Extravascular lung water (EVLW) estimation by lung ultrasound has emerged as a promising tool for guiding fluid therapy in septic shock, allowing clinicians to assess pulmonary edema and tailor resuscitation strategies accordingly. Methods This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the utility of EVLW estimation by lung ultrasound in guiding fluid resuscitation therapy in adult patients with septic shock admitted to a rural tertiary care teaching hospital. Eligible patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) will undergo baseline demographic and clinical assessments, including lung ultrasound, to quantify EVLW using B-line analysis. Fluid resuscitation therapy will be initiated based on EVLW findings, with subsequent adjustments guided by repeat lung ultrasound examinations at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-initiation. Outcome measures include changes in mean PaO2/FiO2 ratios, respiratory parameters, renal function, fluid balance, and mortality rates. Expected Outcome We anticipate that EVLW-guided fluid resuscitation therapy will lead to more precise and tailored management of septic shock, potentially reducing the incidence of fluid overload, ARDS, and renal dysfunction. By optimizing fluid management strategies based on individual patient characteristics and responses, we aim to improve clinical outcomes and enhance the delivery of care for patients with septic shock.

An observational study of gastric contents in pediatric patients with long bone fracture using gastric ultrasound.

The retention of gastric contents at surgery presentation is a risk factor for perioperative aspiration. A preoperative fasting (nil per os; NPO) interval is widely used to reduce this risk, but this approach is based on assumptions about the prevalence of typical gastric emptying rates. We assessed NPO guidelines' reliability with ultrasound (US) imaging and suction in pediatric patients presenting for single long-bone fracture repair after appropriate NPO intervals, when nearly all should have had empty stomachs. This prospective cross-sectional observational study comprised 200 pediatric surgical patients. As their NPO times varied by food/drink type, we defined "weighted NPO units" as the lowest multiple of elapsed recommended NPO times between consumption and surgery for each type of food or drink. We used US to image the stomach and its contents before anesthesia induction, followed by gastric suction. We evaluated the relationships between weighted NPO units, US gastric contents grade, opioid analgesic dosage and timing, and suctioned volume. Despite meeting typical NPO standards (median 14 h fasting), many patients retained nontrivial quantities of gastric contents at surgery. Weighted NPO units did not exhibit statistically-significant relationships with either suctioned volume or US grade. However, suctioned volume did correspond well to US grade. NPO status may be a less reliable predictor of gastric contents at anesthesia induction in this patient population than has been assumed. Bedside US screening appears to provide more useful information for the planning of airway management.

Drug Utilization Evaluation of Antidepressant Prescribing Practice in a Psychiatric Outpatient Hospital: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background: One of the main causes of morbidity is psychiatric disorders, which are becoming a burden to public health. The therapeutic choices are influenced by several factors, including treatment paradigms, safety, and costs that determine outcomes. Aim: We carried out the drug utilization evaluation (DUE) of antidepressants in patients visiting the psychiatry outpatient department. Study Design: An observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychiatry, Jaya Krishna Hospital, Hanamkonda, TS, between September 2021 to April 2022. Methodology: We included patients who visited the psychiatric outpatient hospital, were clinically diagnosed, and received any antidepressants for the long term. The relevant data collected from the information resources was systematically analyzed for DUE. Results: Among 417 patients, the majority were in the age group of 31-40 (33.3%) years, and the most affected were female (57.3%), married (73.4%), and housewives (29.5%). Depression (37.6%) was the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder. Of these prescriptions, 5.3% were monotherapy, the remaining was polytherapy (94.7%), and the majority of them had three drugs (36.2%). The average number of drugs per encounter was 3.4, drugs prescribed by generic names were 41.4%, injectable drugs prescribed were 2.6%, and drugs listed in the National List of Essential Medicines were 61.3%. Of all, 88.7% of prescriptions had at least one antidepressant, predominantly SSRIs, and fluoxetine (23.0%) was the most commonly prescribed. Benzodiazepines (59.7%) were the most frequently prescribed concomitant drug class and clonazepam (50.6%) was the most widely prescribed. Suicidal thoughts (5.8%) were the most commonly observed ADR. Conclusion: The study observed a pattern of polytherapy, mainly antidepressants from the SSRIs, notably fluoxetine mostly prescribed, and suicidal thoughts were the frequent ADR. Drug use surveillance studies, rationalizing therapeutic choices, and proper patient counseling would improve therapeutic outcomes by minimizing side effects and ADRs.

Disparities in quality of life among patients with breast cancer based on surgical methods: a cross-sectional prospective study

To determine the impact of breast conservation on quality of life and identify treatment-related and other demographic factors associated with post-breast cancer treatment quality of life. A prospective study was conducted on 392 women who underwent breast cancer surgery at Hangzhou Cancer Hospital from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022. Operable breast cancer patients who had completed all treatments except endocrine therapy were included. Patients with tumor recurrence/metastasis, bilateral or male breast cancer, and other primary malignancies were excluded. After enrollment, patients were asked to complete the BREAST-Q scale, and their pathological and medical records were reviewed. Analysis of variance was used to compare the quality of life scores among the groups. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with quality of life scores in different domains. Participants completed the BREAST-Q scale at a median of 4.6 years after surgery. Quality of life scores varied based on the therapeutic strategy. Breast conservation has significant advantages over mastectomy in terms of breast satisfaction, psychosocial, and sexual well-being. Compared to oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery, mastectomy was independently associated with decreased breast satisfaction, psychosocial, and sexual well-being, while conventional breast-conserving surgery showed comparable outcomes to oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery in terms of these factors. Breast conservation leads to an improvement in quality of life compared to mastectomy. Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery does not lead to a decrease in quality of life compared to conventional breast-conserving surgery and offers better outcomes compared to mastectomy.

Assessment of Outpatient Management of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases in Abuja Public Hospitals

AIM. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are among the reasons for most outpatient consultations. The study aimed to evaluate the reported experiences of patients being managed for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in the outpatient clinics of Abuja public hospitals. METHOD. A prospective cross-sectional study of 787 systematically sampled patients receiving care in five public hospitals in Abuja was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the number of yearly consultations, problems encountered in accessing trained health personnel, time spent on hospital appointments, major treatment challenges, and ways to improve their experience on hospital visits. Management experience was defined as good or poor. Patients who consulted at least four times in a year, reported no problems in accessing trained health personnel, and had no treatment challenges were regarded as having a good management experience. Frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to summarize the data. Logistic regression was used to predict and classify the binary outcomes. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS. More of the patients (66.2%) had up to four consultations in a year. Long waiting time (56.1%) was the common problem encountered when accessing trained medical personnel. The major treatment challenge was hospital waiting time (49.4%). The mean time spent in the hospital on appointment days was 5.04±1.80. Approximately 40% of the patients suggested proper scheduling of hospital appointments as the major way to improve treatment experiences. Poor management was recorded by 96.6% of the patients. Logistic regression showed that a higher educational level (OR = 0.031, 95% CI [0.008-0.119], _P=_0.001) was associated with reporting poor management. CONCLUSION. The average number of yearly consultations was below the minimum standard, and patients spent long hours on consultation days before meeting with healthcare personnel. Most patients were dissatisfied with the services received and rated them poor.

Increased water content in multifidus muscles of young adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain detected by dual-energy CT and MRI

ObjectivesTo demonstrate the feasibility of better diagnosing young adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) by measuring water content in paraspinal muscles using water-muscle decomposition technique in dual-energy CT (DECT) and T2-mapping in MRI. MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional study included 110 young individuals (56 with CNLBP at age of 25.7 ± 2.0 years and 54 of asymptomatic at age of 25.1 ± 1.9 years) who underwent both MRI and DECT on the spine. T2 values on T2 mapping in MRI and water density (WD) value on water(muscle) images in DECT were generated at the L1-L4 levels for erector spinae muscle and L2-L5 for multifidus muscle. Pain duration time, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were recorded for CNLBP patients. Difference of T2 value and WD between the two patient groups, and correlations between T2 value and WD, and T2 value and WD with clinical indicators were analyzed. ResultsCompared with asymptomatic participants, the mean WD of multifidus muscle at L4-L5 and mean T2 values of multifidus muscle at L5 were significantly higher in CNLBP patients (all P < 0.05). T2 values had moderate to strong positive correlations (r = 0.34–0.60, all P < 0.05) with DECT WD in CNLBP patients and healthy volunteers. There was a weak correlation between VAS and WD in L5-level multifidus muscle (r = 0.29, P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe T2 values in MRI and WD in DECT are higher in multifidus muscles of lower vertebra levels for young CNLBP patients, and there exists positive correlation between WD and T2 values, providing useful information for diagnosing CNLBP.

Iron deficiency in patients with cancer: a prospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite the deleterious consequences of iron deficiency (ID) in patients with cancer, underdiagnosis is frequent. The CARENFER study aimed to assess the prevalence of ID using both serum ferritin concentration...

Comparison between platelets to lymphocytes ratio, procalcitonin serum level, and SOFA score for outcome prediction in patients with sepsis

ABSTRACT Background Sepsis is a fatal condition with high treatment costs, early identification of sepsis is mandatory to avoid lethal complications. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive capabilities of platelets to lymphocytes ratio (PLR) and procalcitonin (PCT) in determining the outcome of sepsis. Methods This study was a prospective cross-sectional study and fifty-four individuals diagnosed with sepsis were involved. The participants were between the ages of twenty-one and sixty-five and had been admitted to ICU for more than twenty-four hours. The measurement of whole blood count and PCT serum levels was conducted at time of diagnosis, as well as on days three, seven, and fourteen following the onset of sepsis while SOFA score was conducted at time of admission. Results There was important elevation in platelet to lymphocytes ratio value and PCT in non survivors group compared to survivors group at day one, three, and seven of diagnosis of sepsis (p value ≤ 0.05), and day fourteen there were no data in non survivors group. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was found to be the most effective in mortality prediction [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.982] second effective was PCT (AUC = 0.977) and PLR was third (AUC = 0.945). Conclusions In adult patients diagnosed with sepsis PLR with cutoff value > 228.89 demonstrates efficacy as a reliable prognostic indicator for predicting outcomes in sepsis. Although PLR may have a lower predictive power compared to PCT and SOFA score, it possesses the advantage of being a readily available and cost-effective technology.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Associated Risk Factors for Clostridium difficile in Patients Attending Tertiary Care Settings.

To determine the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant emerging pathogens, Clostridium difficile, and its associated risk factors in tertiary care setups of Pakistan. This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020, to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of C. difficile strains isolated from 450 stool specimens of patients suffering from diarrhea hospitalized in tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan. The stool samples of the patients were processed for culture and detection of toxin A and toxin B by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and tpi PCR. The drug sensitivity test was performed for antibiotics including ampicillin, cefixime, cefepime, amoxicillin, nalidixic acid, sulpha/TMP (SXT), chloramphenicol, metronidazole, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and imipenem. Of 450 stool specimens, 108 (24%) were positive for C. difficile by stool culture, whereas 115 (25.5%) were only positive for C. difficile toxins based on ELISA and PCR (128 (28.6%). Of 108, 90.7% (n = 98) isolates were resistant to one antibiotic, and 90 (83.4%) were resistant to three or more antimicrobials. The highest resistance rates were found against penicillin (83.3%) followed by amoxicillin (70%), nalidixic acid (61%), and metronidazole (38%), and the lowest resistance was found against vancomycin (6.4%) and imipenem (3.7%). CDI was statistically significantly correlated with increased age, use of antibiotics, abdominal surgeries, use of proton pump inhibitors and H2a, and presence of comorbidities. The high frequency of C. difficile in Peshawar, Pakistan, indicates that CDI is an important nosocomial infection in different hospitals. The results will be helpful for clinicians to redesign control and therapeutic strategies in hospitals.

Screening for hepatitis C virus at the time of mammography using rapid diagnostic tests in women aged between 50 and 74 years (Mamm'OC NCT05067374).

Chronic hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection presents a global health challenge, with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite remarkable progress in treatment options, achieving elimination targets by 2030, as set by the World Health Organization, remains elusive. Our study aimed to address this gap by integrating HCV screening into a national breast cancer screening program. Between March 2022 and March 2023, a prospective cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in four radiology centers in Montpellier, France. We proposed HCV screening to consecutive women undergoing mammography, targeting 1,500 participants aged 50-74 years. A rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for HCV antibodies (HCV Ab) was performed on capillary whole blood, with positive cases undergoing serological and RNA confirmation. Participants also completed a questionnaire on demographic data and risk factors. Acceptance rates, HCV prevalence, and linkage to care were assessed. The acceptance rate for this integrated screening approach was 82.4%. Notably, the seroprevalence of HCV was found to be 0.65%. Linkage to care was prompt, and the cascade of care demonstrated successful treatment outcomes. Importantly, the majority of detected infections were successfully resolved. These findings underscore the feasibility and acceptability of integrating HCV screening with breast cancer screening programs providing updated prevalence data and valuable insights for refining future screening strategies.

The pattern of cardiovascular disease in River Nile State (October 2019-April 2020)

Background: The rise of cardiovascular diseases poses a significant global threat, not only in terms of morbidity and mortality but also due to their substantial economic burden. Understanding the specific patterns of CVDs within various populations is crucial for effective prevention, early diagnosis, and management. Objective: This study aimed to determine the pattern of cardiovascular disease using echocardiography in River Nile State. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted from October 2019 to April 2020 aimed to ascertain the pattern of cardiovascular diseases using echocardiography in River Nile State. A sample of 1000 participants from Atbara Teaching Hospital, Atbara Complex, and Shendi Teaching Hospital was included. The study population comprised all Sudanese patients undergoing echocardiography in the region. Inclusion criteria involved patients presenting for echocardiography who consented to participate, while refusal to participate constituted exclusion criteria. Data collection involved obtaining written consent from patients and recording echocardiographic findings, including age, gender, and patterns of heart disease, using standardized data sheets. Results: The findings revealed a mean age of 72±6.8 years, with females comprising 64.7% of the sample. Hypertensive heart disease (31.5%) and valvular lesions (29.8%) emerged as the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases. Ischemic heart disease (11.2%), rheumatic heart disease (8.3%), and cardiomyopathy (5.7%) were also notable. Patterns of cardiovascular diseases showed significant associations with age and gender, with hypertensive heart disease and valvular lesions more prevalent in older age groups, while congenital heart disease was more prevalent among younger individuals (20–40 years). Conclusion: The study revealed that hypertensive heart disease (31.5%) and valvular lesions (29.8%) as the dominant CVD patterns. Focusing on these conditions with tailored prevention, early diagnosis, and management is crucial, especially for older individuals. Keywords: Cardiac diseases, Comorbidity, Nile State, Pattern.

Comparative Cross Sectional Prospective Study of Anterior Skull Base Thickness in Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhoea vs Matched Controls

Comparative Cross Sectional Prospective Study of Anterior Skull Base Thickness in Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhoea vs Matched Controls

Biochemical Variability of Nasal Cartilages: Implications in Functional Rhinoplasty.

Nasal valve compromise is a common issue for patients presenting to an otolaryngologist. Anatomically, the dorsal septal cartilage (DSA) articulates with the upper lateral nasal cartilage (ULC). When the ULC weakens, it is prone to collapse and may result in nasal obstruction. Our objectives were to analyze histological differences between quadrangular and DSA nasal cartilages and compare histological composition of these tissues among patients with diagnosis of nasal valve compromise (NVC) versus those without NVC (no NVC). Prospective cross-sectional study of nasal cartilages from seventy-three (73) live donors. Quadrangular cartilage (QC), and DSA from patients undergoing septorhinoplasty were collected. Safranin O histochemical staining was used to observe glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) content and cell count. Masson's Trichrome staining was used to assess collagen content in these nasal cartilages. Mean GAG content was lower in DSA compared with QUAD cartilage (68.18% vs. 87.22%, p < 0.0001), and was lowest in DSA of patients with NVC (59.07%). Mean collagen content was higher in DSA compared with QUAD cartilage, (65.43% vs. 46.65%, p = 0.0002), and was highest in DSA of patients with NVC (74.86%). The DSA showed decreased GAG and increased collagen content compared with quadrangular cartilage. Within the DSA subsite, patients with presurgical NVC had the lowest GAG and highest collagen levels. This observation suggests that the biochemical composition of the DSA may contribute to its weakening, potentially resulting in its inability to withstand minor trauma and/or the effects of aging, ultimately leading to NVC. N/A Laryngoscope, 2024.

Bacteriological Study of Post-Operative Wound Infection and its Antibiograms

INTRODUCTIONPostoperative wound infections are a significant complication of surgical procedures, which increases morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stay, and increased healthcare costs. The study was undertaken with an aim to investigate the etiological agents of postoperative wounds and their sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics. MATERIAL AND METHODSThis study was a descriptive cross-sectional prospective study, carried out at Universal College Of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital, Bhairahawa, Nepal, on 100 postoperatively wounded infected cases, during April 2023 – August 2023, Non Probability sampling method (Purposive sampling) was used, and specimens were collected by sterile cotton swabs and pus was aspirated with a sterile needle and syringe and processed using standard bacteriological techniques. Antibiotic sensitivity test was conducted by disc diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) method. RESULTSPostoperative wound infections caused by Gram negative bacilli were more frequent and predominant pathogens involved were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Klebsiella spp and Enterobacter aerogenes. Among Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus was predominant. Gram positive cocci were highly sensitive to Ampicillin, and Gram negative bacilli were highly sensitive to Ceftazidime, Gentamicin, and Amikacin. Coagulase negative staphylococci were resistant to all drugs tested. CONCLUSIONPseudomonas aeruginosa was the commonest etiological agent for postoperative wound infections. Gram positive cocci and E.coli were highly sensitive to Ampicillin and Gram negative bacilli were highly sensitive to Ceftazidime, Gentamicin, Amikacin. Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to vancomycin and Teicoplanin and coagulase staphylococci were resistant to all drugs tested. Gram negative bacilli were resistant to Polymyxin B and Tigecycline. Increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics warrants the judicious use of antibiotics and establishment of antibiotic policy in the hospital.