Alterations of bone microarchitecture in young patients with inflammatory bowel diseases are associated with fracture risk during growth

Aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) appearing during childhood and adolescence compromise peak bone mass acquisition and increase fracture risk. The structural determinants of bone fragility in IBD however remain unknown. Methods: We investigated volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), trabecular and cortical bone microstructure at distal radius and tibia by high-resolution pQCT (XtremeCT, Scanco, Switzerland), aBMD at distal radius, hip and spine and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) by DXA in 107 young patients (mean age 22.8 yrs, range 12.2-33.7 yrs; 62 females and 45 males) with Crohn's disease (n=75), ulcerative colitis (n=25), undetermined colitis (n=2), and no definitive diagnosis (n=5), and in 389 healthy young individuals. Results: Mean disease duration was 6.1 yrs, 89/107 IBD patients received corticosteroids, 83 other immunomodulators, and 59 vitamin D. Clinical fractures were reported by 38 patients (mean age at 1st fracture, 12.6 yrs), the vast majority of the forearm, arm or hand; 5 had vertebral crush fractures (Grade 1 or 2) and 11 had multiple fractures. As compared to healthy controls (matched 2:1 for age, sex, height and fracture history), the 102 patients with established IBD had similar weight but significantly lower aBMD at all sites, lower trabecular (Tb) BV/TV and number, and greater Tb separation and inhomogeneous Tb distribution (1/SD TbN) at both distal radius and tibia, lower tibia cortical thickness (CTh), but no differences in cortical vBMD nor bone perimeter. Among IBD's, aBMD was not associated with fractures (by logistic regression adjusted for age, age square, sex, height, weight and protein intake). However, radius and tibia Tb BV/TV, thickness and SD 1/TbN, as well as radius Tb separation and perimeter, were significantly associated with fracture risk (fully adjusted as above), whereas cortical vBMD and CTh were not. After adjustment for aBMD at radius, respectively at femur neck, radius SD 1/TbN and tibia BV/TV, TbTh and perimeter remained independently associated with fracture risk. Conclusions: Young subjects with IBD have low bone mass and poor bone microarchitecture compared to healthy controls. Alterations of bone microarchitecture, particularly in the trabecular bone compartment, are specifically associated with increased fracture risk during growth.

Replicative phenotyping adds value to genotypic resistance testing in heavily pre-treated HIV-infected individuals--the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Replicative phenotypic HIV resistance testing (rPRT) uses recombinant infectious virus to measure viral replication in the presence of antiretroviral drugs. Due to its high sensitivity of detection of viral minorities and its dissecting power for complex viral resistance patterns and mixed virus populations rPRT might help to improve HIV resistance diagnostics, particularly for patients with multiple drug failures. The aim was to investigate whether the addition of rPRT to genotypic resistance testing (GRT) compared to GRT alone is beneficial for obtaining a virological response in heavily pre-treated HIV-infected patients. METHODS: Patients with resistance tests between 2002 and 2006 were followed within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). We assessed patients' virological success after their antiretroviral therapy was switched following resistance testing. Multilevel logistic regression models with SHCS centre as a random effect were used to investigate the association between the type of resistance test and virological response (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL or ≥1.5 log reduction). RESULTS: Of 1158 individuals with resistance tests 221 with GRT+rPRT and 937 with GRT were eligible for analysis. Overall virological response rates were 85.1% for GRT+rPRT and 81.4% for GRT. In the subgroup of patients with >2 previous failures, the odds ratio (OR) for virological response of GRT+rPRT compared to GRT was 1.45 (95% CI 1.00-2.09). Multivariate analyses indicate a significant improvement with GRT+rPRT compared to GRT alone (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.31-2.15). CONCLUSIONS: In heavily pre-treated patients rPRT-based resistance information adds benefit, contributing to a higher rate of treatment success.

Gestion des rendez-vous au cabinet en pédiatrie libérale

Introduction¦La gestion des rendez-vous (RDV) et des flux des consultations en médecine libérale sont¦primordiaux. Il n'existe actuellement que peu de données à ce sujet et chaque médecin gère ses RDV¦selon sa convenance. Le but de cette étude est de décrire de manière analytique et prospective la¦gestion des RDV chez un groupe de pédiatres généralistes installés en cabinet. Ainsi elle pourrait¦servir de base pour des formations post graduées, des cours sur la pratique libérale de médecine de¦premier recours ou encore lors d'ouvertures de cabinets médicaux.¦Méthode¦Tous les pédiatres généralistes avec activité de premier recours du canton de Neuchâtel ont été¦invités à participer à l'étude. Leurs parcours professionnels ont été recensés. Pour chaque¦consultation, le délai entre l'heure d'appel téléphonique par les parents et celle du RDV obtenu le jour¦même (RDV «du jour», RDVdJ), le temps d'attente au cabinet, sa durée, l'âge, le sexe et la nationalité du patient, les diagnostics et les traitements ont été consignés. Le nombre et la durée des¦consultations téléphoniques par les pédiatres ont été enregistrés. La période d'enquête a porté du¦lundi 7 au vendredi 11 février 2011. Parallèlement, l'activité pédiatrique aux urgences de l'Hôpital¦neuchâtelois (HNE) a été recensée du 7 au 14 février 2011, nuits et week-end inclus.¦Cette étude a été acceptée par la Commission cantonale vaudoise d'éthique de la recherche sur l'être¦humain.¦Résultats¦Sur les 24 pédiatres praticiens avec activité de premier recours installés dans le canton de Neuchâtel,¦18 ont accepté de collaborer. 1645 consultations ont été réalisées dans les cabinets, 271 au sein de¦l'HNE et 500 chez les pédiatres n'ayant pas participé à l'étude. Ainsi 2416 consultations pédiatriques¦ont été effectuées pendant les 7 jours d'analyse dans les principales structures neuchâteloises de¦soins pédiatriques.¦Sur 1645 consultations, 697 étaient des RDVdJ (médiane 42%, extrêmes 26%-57%), 880 (54%, 42%-¦69%) avaient un RDV prévu (RDVP), c'est-à dire fixé avant le jour de la consultation, 61 (4%, 0%-¦16%) étaient des RDV pressants (RDVpress), ce qui signifie que le patient s'était présenté¦directement au cabinet sans RDV préalable. 902/1645 consultations (55%) concerne des enfants de¦moins de 6 ans. Le recours parental à des RDVdJ ne dépendait pas de l'âge du patient. La plupart¦des consultations était due à un syndrome infectieux aigu (42%).¦La couverture par les pédiatres praticiens était très variable (5-14 actifs simultanément par ½¦journée), l'HNE permettant certainement d'assurer les prises en charge pédiatriques en l'absence des¦praticiens.¦Ce travail a montré une grande variabilité des différents paramètres d'activité entre les pédiatres. Il¦donne une image synthétique, quoi que partielle puisque le volet diagnostic et traitement n'ont pas été abordés, des soins pédiatriques ambulatoires dans un canton romand. Il n'a pas permis de définir un style univoque de gestion des RDV.

Prevalence of positive tuberculosis skin tests during 5 years of screening in a Swiss remand prison

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) screening in prisons is recommended, but the appropriate methods remain controversial. Studies evaluating screening in remand prisons arc scarce. METHOD: Between 1997 and 2001, voluntary screening based on the tuberculin skin test (TST) was offered to all prisoners on entry into the largest remand prison in Switzerland. Prisoners with positive results underwent chest X-rays. We analysed this information collected in an anonymous database. RESULTS: A total of 4890 prisoners entered the prison and were eligible for screening; 3779 (77.3%) had TST performed on average 9 days after arrival: 46.9% were positive (induration >= 10 mm). Positive TST rates were similar over the 5 years. Women were more likely to have a negative TST (60.4%) than men (47.7%; P < 0.001, Pearson's chi(2) 16.5). Positive TSTs varied according to the prisoner's country of origin (64% for sub-Saharan Africa, 57% for Eastern Europe, 56% for North Africa, 51% for Asia and 34% for North and West Europe). CONCLUSION: The percentage of TST-positive subjects was high, and most did not receive preventive treatment for latent TB. The usefulness of systematic TST for all prisoners on entry is limited, as diagnosis of TB disease usually remains the priority in prisons. Keywords

The predictive value of trabecular bone score (TBS) on whole lumbar vertebrae mechanics: an ex vivo study.

We investigated the association of trabecular bone score (TBS) with microarchitecture and mechanical behavior of human lumbar vertebrae. We found that TBS reflects vertebral trabecular microarchitecture and is an independent predictor of vertebral mechanics. However, the addition of TBS to areal BMD (aBMD) did not significantly improve prediction of vertebral strength. INTRODUCTION: The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a gray-level measure of texture using a modified experimental variogram which can be extracted from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images. The current study aimed to confirm whether TBS is associated with trabecular microarchitecture and mechanics of human lumbar vertebrae, and if its combination with BMD improves prediction of fracture risk. METHODS: Lumbar vertebrae (L3) were harvested fresh from 16 donors. The anteroposterior and lateral bone mineral content (BMC) and areal BMD (aBMD) of the vertebral body were measured using DXA; then, the TBS was extracted using TBS iNsight software (Medimaps SA, France). The trabecular bone volume (Tb.BV/tissue volume, TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), degree of anisotropy, and structure model index (SMI) were measured using microcomputed tomography. Quasi-static uniaxial compressive testing was performed on L3 vertebral bodies to assess failure load and stiffness. RESULTS: The TBS was significantly correlated to Tb.BV/TV and SMI (râeuro0/00=âeuro0/000.58 and -0.62; pâeuro0/00=âeuro0/000.02, 0.01), but not related to BMC and BMD. TBS was significantly correlated with stiffness (râeuro0/00=âeuro0/000.64; pâeuro0/00=âeuro0/000.007), independently of bone mass. Using stepwise multiple regression models, we failed to demonstrate that the combination of BMD and TBS was better at explaining mechanical behavior than either variable alone. However, the combination TBS, Tb.Th, and BMC did perform better than each parameter alone, explaining 79 % of the variability in stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, TBS was associated with microarchitecture parameters and with vertebral mechanical behavior, but TBS did not improve prediction of vertebral biomechanical properties in addition to aBMD.

Undocumented migrants in Switzerland: geographical origin versus legal status as risk factor for tuberculosis.

Undocumented migrants, meaning migrants without a legal residency permit, come to Geneva from countries with high tuberculosis (TB) incidence. We estimate here whether being undocumented is a determinant of TB, independently of origin. Cross-sectional study including undocumented migrants in a TB screening program in 2002; results were compared to 12,904 age and frequency matched participants in a general TB screening program conducted at various workplaces in Geneva, Switzerland from 1992 to 2002. A total of 206 undocumented migrants (36% male, 64% female, mean age 37.8 years (SD 11.8), 82.5% from Latin America) participated in the TB screening program. Compared to legal residents, undocumented migrants had an adjusted OR for TB-related fibrotic signs of 1.7 (95% CI 0.8;3.7). The OR of TB-related fibrotic signs for Latin American (vs. other) origin was 2.7 (95% CI 1.6;4.7) among legal residents and 5.5 (95% CI 2.8;10.8) among undocumented migrants. Chest X-ray screening identified a higher proportion of TB-related fibrotic signs among Latin Americans, independently of their residency status.

The yield of high-density electric source imaging in focal epilepsy

Background: EEG is the cornerstone of epilepsy diagnostics and mandatory to determine the underlying epilepsy syndrome (e.g. focal vs idiopathic generalized). However, its potential as imaging tool is still underrecognized. In the present study, we aim to determine the prerequisites of maximal benefit of electric source imaging (ESI) to localize the irritative zone in patients with focal epilepsy. Methods: 150 patients suffering from focal epilepsy and with minimum 1 year post-operative follow-up were studied prospectively by reviewers blinded to the underlying diagnosis and outcome. We evaluated the influence of two important factors on sensitivity and specificity of ESI: the number of electrodes (low resolution, LR-ESI: \30 vs. high resolution, HR-ESI: 128-256 electrodes), and the use of individual MRI (i-MRI) vs. template MRI (t-MRI) as head model.Results: ESI had a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 87% when HR-ESI with i-MRI was used. Using LR-ESI, sensitivity decreased to 68%, or even 57% when only t-MRI was available. The sensitivity of HR-ESI/i-MRI compared favorably with those of MRI (76%), PET (69%) and ictal/interictal SPECT (64%).Interpretation: This study on a large patient group shows excellent sensitivity and specificity of ESI if 128 EEG channels or more are used for ESI and if the results are co-registered to the patient's individual MRI. Localization precision is as high as or even higher than established brain imaging techniques, providing excellent costeffectiveness in epilepsy evaluation. HR-ESI appears to be a valuable additional imaging tool, given that larger electrode arrays are easily and rapidly applied with modern EEG equipment and that structural MRI is nearly always available for these patients.

Groupes diagnostiques utilisés sur SIMULIT 13

La nomenclature des diagnostics est celle de la Classification internationale des maladies (9e révision), utilisée par la Statistique médicale VESKA depuis 1980. Les trois premiers chiffres du code ont été utilisés; seul le premier diagnostic a été retenu.

Multicentre validation study of nucleic acids extraction from FFPE tissues.

In most pathology laboratories worldwide, formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples are the only tissue specimens available for routine diagnostics. Although commercial kits for diagnostic molecular pathology testing are becoming available, most of the current diagnostic tests are laboratory-based assays. Thus, there is a need for standardized procedures in molecular pathology, starting from the extraction of nucleic acids. To evaluate the current methods for extracting nucleic acids from FFPE tissues, 13 European laboratories, participating to the European FP6 program IMPACTS (www.impactsnetwork.eu), isolated nucleic acids from four diagnostic FFPE tissues using their routine methods, followed by quality assessment. The DNA-extraction protocols ranged from homemade protocols to commercial kits. Except for one homemade protocol, the majority gave comparable results in terms of the quality of the extracted DNA measured by the ability to amplify differently sized control gene fragments by PCR. For array-applications or tests that require an accurately determined DNA-input, we recommend using silica based adsorption columns for DNA recovery. For RNA extractions, the best results were obtained using chromatography column based commercial kits, which resulted in the highest quantity and best assayable RNA. Quality testing using RT-PCR gave successful amplification of 200 bp-250 bp PCR products from most tested tissues. Modifications of the proteinase-K digestion time led to better results, even when commercial kits were applied. The results of the study emphasize the need for quality control of the nucleic acid extracts with standardised methods to prevent false negative results and to allow data comparison among different diagnostic laboratories.

Empfehlungen zur Diagnostik und Therapie der behavioralen und psychologischen Symptome der Demenz (BPSD) [Recommendations for diagnosis and therapy of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD)].

In patients with dementia, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) are frequent findings that accompany deficits caused by cognitive impairment and thus complicate diagnostics, therapy and care. BPSD are a burden both for affected individuals as well as care-givers, and represent a significant challenge for therapy of a patient population with high degree of multi-morbidity. The goal of this therapy-guideline issued by swiss professional associations is to present guidance regarding therapy of BPSD as attendant symptoms in dementia, based on evidence as well as clinical experience. Here it appears to be of particular importance to take into account professional experience, as at this point for most therapeutic options no sufficiently controlled clinical trials are available. A critical discussion of pharmaco-therapeutic intervention is necessary, as this patient-population is particularly vulnerable for medication side-effects. Finally, a particular emphasis is placed on incorporating and systematically reporting psycho-social and nursing options therapeutic intervention.

Les consultations motivées par une douleur dans la pratique ambulatoire.

Pratique Médicale Ambulatoire (PMA) est une enquête basée sur le modèle américain du National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey qui a été conduite dans les cantons de Vaud et Fribourg en 1987. Elle avait pour but de décrire l'activité des médecins installés et celle des services ambulatoires des hôpitaux. La fiche de relevé de cette enquête comprenait notamment les caractéristiques du patient (âge, sexe), le motif de la consultation et le ou les diagnostics posés par le médecin. Dans le cadre de ce travail, tous les motifs de consultation se rapportant à une douleur ont été sélectionnés et analysés. [Auteur, p. 2]

Santé mentale et asile : quelle réalité locale ?

Problématique : En Suisse, la situation des requérants d'asile est réglementée depuis 1999 par la Loi sur l'Asile (LAsi) qui leur donnait droit jusqu'en 2008 à une aide sociale, que leur demande soit acceptée, refusée ou que les autorités responsables n'entrent pas en matière. Depuis janvier 2008, tout requérant d'asile ne recevant pas de réponse positive perd cette aide sociale au profit d'une aide dite « d'urgence », impliquant un durcissement des conditions de vie. Depuis lors, un Groupe de Travail « Critères de vulnérabilité » (GT-Vulnérabilité) se charge, sur mandat de l'Etablissement Vaudois d'Accueil des Migrants (EVAM), d'évaluer la situation de certaines personnes percevant l'aide d'urgence sur la base de rapports médicaux et psychiatriques. Il détermine premièrement si la personne doit être considérée comme « vulnérable » pour raison de santé et pose ensuite un préavis médical quant à la possibilité d'amélioration des conditions d'hébergement. Les personnes reconnues comme particulièrement vulnérables sont soumises à un régime différent, impliquant des avantages spécifiés dans l'aide d'urgence. Objectifs : Décrire l'état de santé physique mais surtout mental des personnes percevant l'Aide d'urgence, pour lesquelles une demande a été effectuée auprès de ce groupe et identifier des facteurs associés à cet état de santé. Présenter comment le système de soins organise sa prise en charge et explorer les implications sur la pratique médicale. Méthodologie : Revue exhaustive de la littérature afin de mieux comprendre le contexte social, le cadre légal et les questions éthiques qu'ils impliquent. A partir des dossiers traités par le GT- Vulnérabilité, établissement d'une base de données regroupant des informations d'ordre démographique, médical et anamnestique et analyse descriptive univariée. Résultats: De janvier 2008 à avril 2011, le GT-Vulnérabilité a traité 411 demandes. Parmi les personnes concernées, 52% viennent d'Afrique et sont principalement sans famille. Le GT- Vulnérabilité a pu rendre une décision dans 79% des cas, donnant un préavis en faveur du requérant d'asile pour 82% d'entre eux. On retrouve plus fréquemment une réponse positive lorsqu'il s'agit d'une femme, ou d'une personne avec sa famille. L'étude des dossiers contenant un rapport de généraliste, a montré la présence d'au moins deux diagnostics somatiques chez 42% des personnes, concernant notamment les maladies infectieuses et parasitaires et des atteintes du système nerveux. On retrouve au moins un trouble psychiatrique dans 74% des cas. Il s'agit en particulier de troubles de l'humeur unipolaires et de syndromes de stress post-traumatiques. Les rapports psychiatriques ont également permis d'identifier l'existence de traumatismes chez 81% des personnes, associés surtout à la guerre, à des maltraitance et violences, dans le pays d'origine, mais aussi en Suisse. Conclusion : La situation médicale des requérants d'asile soumis au régime de l'aide d'urgence est préoccupante. Elle met le système de santé et ses divers protagonistes face à des questionnements et des enjeux d'ordre éthique et demande une nécessaire réflexion en termes de santé publique et de politique sanitaire.

Marker-independent identification of glioma-initiating cells.

Tumor-initiating cells with stem cell properties are believed to sustain the growth of gliomas, but proposed markers such as CD133 cannot be used to identify these cells with sufficient specificity. We report an alternative isolation method purely based on phenotypic qualities of glioma-initiating cells (GICs), avoiding the use of molecular markers. We exploited intrinsic autofluorescence properties and a distinctive morphology to isolate a subpopulation of cells (FL1(+)) from human glioma or glioma cultures. FL1(+) cells are capable of self-renewal in vitro, tumorigenesis in vivo and preferentially express stem cell genes. The FL1(+) phenotype did not correlate with the expression of proposed GIC markers. Our data propose an alternative approach to investigate tumor-initiating potential in gliomas and to advance the development of new therapies and diagnostics.

Effect of mutation and genetic background on drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Bacterial factors may contribute to the global emergence and spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Only a few studies have reported on the interactions between different bacterial factors. We studied drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from a nationwide study conducted from 2000 to 2008 in Switzerland. We determined quantitative drug resistance levels of first-line drugs by using Bactec MGIT-960 and drug resistance genotypes by sequencing the hot-spot regions of the relevant genes. We determined recent transmission by molecular methods and collected clinical data. Overall, we analyzed 158 isolates that were resistant to isoniazid, rifampin, or ethambutol, 48 (30.4%) of which were multidrug resistant. Among 154 isoniazid-resistant strains, katG mutations were associated with high-level and inhA promoter mutations with low-level drug resistance. Only katG(S315T) (65.6% of all isoniazid-resistant strains) and inhA promoter -15C/T (22.7%) were found in molecular clusters. M. tuberculosis lineage 2 (includes Beijing genotype) was associated with any drug resistance (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 5.6; P < 0.0001). Lineage 1 was associated with inhA promoter -15C/T mutations (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 2.0 to 20.7; P = 0.002). We found that the genetic strain background influences the level of isoniazid resistance conveyed by particular mutations (interaction tests of drug resistance mutations across all lineages; P < 0.0001). In conclusion, M. tuberculosis drug resistance mutations were associated with various levels of drug resistance and transmission, and M. tuberculosis lineages were associated with particular drug resistance-conferring mutations and phenotypic drug resistance. Our study also supports a role for epistatic interactions between different drug resistance mutations and strain genetic backgrounds in M. tuberculosis drug resistance.