Complicated intra-abdominal infections in Europe: a comprehensive review of the CIAO study.

The CIAO Study ("Complicated Intra-Abdominal infection Observational" Study) is a multicenter investigation performed in 68 medical institutions throughout Europe over the course of a 6-month observational period (January-June 2012).Patients with either community-acquired or healthcare-associated complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) were included in the study.2,152 patients with a mean age of 53.8 years (range: 4-98 years) were enrolled in the study. 46.3% of the patients were women and 53.7% were men. Intraperitoneal specimens were collected from 62.2% of the enrolled patients, and from these samples, a variety of microorganisms were collectively identified.The overall mortality rate was 7.5% (163/2.152).According to multivariate analysis of the compiled data, several criteria were found to be independent variables predictive of patient mortality, including patient age, the presence of an intestinal non-appendicular source of infection (colonic non-diverticular perforation, complicated diverticulitis, small bowel perforation), a delayed initial intervention (a delay exceeding 24 hours), sepsis and septic shock in the immediate post-operative period, and ICU admission.Given the sweeping geographical distribution of the participating medical centers, the CIAO Study gives an accurate description of the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, and treatment profiles of complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) throughout Europe.

R-ESHAP as salvage therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: the influence of prior exposure to rituximab on outcome. A GEL/TAMO study.

BACKGROUND The role of re-treatment with rituximab in aggressive B-cell lymphomas still needs to be defined. This study evaluated the influence of prior exposure to rituximab on response rates and survival in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with rituximab plus etoposide, cytarabine, cisplatinum and methylprednisolone (R-ESHAP). DESIGN AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 163 patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received R-ESHAP as salvage therapy with a curative purpose. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether rituximab had been administered (n=94, "R+" group) or not (n=69, "R-" group) prior to R-ESHAP. RESULTS Response rates were significantly higher in the R- group in the univariate but not in the multivariate analysis. In the analysis restricted to the R+ group, we observed very low complete remission and overall response rates in patients with primary refractory disease (8% and 33%, respectively), as compared to those in patients who were in first partial remission (41% and 86%) or who had relapsed disease (50% and 75%) (p<0.01 in both cases). Overall, 60% and 65% of patients in the R+ and R- groups, respectively, underwent stem-cell transplantation after the salvage therapy. With a median follow-up of 29 months (range, 6-84), patients in the R+ group had significantly worse progression-free survival (17% vs. 57% at 3 years, p<0.0001) and overall survival (38% v 67% at 3 years, p=0.0005) than patients in the R- group. Prior exposure to rituximab was also an independent adverse prognostic factor for both progression-free survival (RR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2-3.3, p=0.008) and overall survival (RR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.9, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS R-ESHAP was associated with a high response rate in patients who were not refractory to upfront rituximab-based chemotherapy. However, the survival outcome was poor for patients previously exposed to rituximab, as compared to in those who had not previously been treated with rituximab.

Plerixafor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for first-line steady-state autologous peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in lymphoma and multiple myeloma: results of the prospective PREDICT trial.

In Europe, the combination of plerixafor + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is approved for the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells for autologous transplantation in patients with lymphoma and myeloma whose cells mobilize poorly. The purpose of this study was to further assess the safety and efficacy of plerixafor + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for front-line mobilization in European patients with lymphoma or myeloma. In this multicenter, open label, single-arm study, patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (10 μg/kg/day) subcutaneously for 4 days; on the evening of day 4 they were given plerixafor (0.24 mg/kg) subcutaneously. Patients underwent apheresis on day 5 after a morning dose of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. The primary study objective was to confirm the safety of mobilization with plerixafor. Secondary objectives included assessment of efficacy (apheresis yield, time to engraftment). The combination of plerixafor + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was used to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells in 118 patients (90 with myeloma, 25 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 3 with Hodgkin's disease). Treatment-emergent plerixafor-related adverse events were reported in 24 patients. Most adverse events occurred within 1 hour after injection, were grade 1 or 2 in severity and included gastrointestinal disorders or injection-site reactions. The minimum cell yield (≥ 2 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg) was harvested in 98% of patients with myeloma and in 80% of those with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a median of one apheresis. The optimum cell dose (≥ 5 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or ≥ 6 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg for myeloma) was harvested in 89% of myeloma patients and 48% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. In this prospective, multicenter European study, mobilization with plerixafor + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor allowed the majority of patients with myeloma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to undergo transplantation with minimal toxicity, providing further data supporting the safety and efficacy of plerixafor + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for front-line mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or myeloma.

The development of anemia is associated to poor prognosis in NKF/KDOQI stage 3 chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a common condition in CKD that has been identified as a cardiovascular (CV) risk factor in end-stage renal disease, constituting a predictor of low survival. The aim of this study was to define the onset of anemia of renal origin and its association with the evolution of kidney disease and clinical outcomes in stage 3 CKD (CKD-3). METHODS: This epidemiological, prospective, multicenter, 3-year study included 439 CKD-3 patients. The origin of nephropathy and comorbidity (Charlson score: 3.2) were recorded. The clinical characteristics of patients that developed anemia according to EBPG guidelines were compared with those that did not, followed by multivariate logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier curves and ROC curves to investigate factors associated with the development of renal anemia. RESULTS: During the 36-month follow-up period, 50% reached CKD-4 or 5, and approximately 35% were diagnosed with anemia (85% of renal origin). The probability of developing renal anemia was 0.12, 0.20 and 0.25 at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Patients that developed anemia were mainly men (72% anemic vs. 69% non-anemic). The mean age was 68 vs. 65.5 years and baseline proteinuria was 0.94 vs. 0.62 g/24h (anemic vs. non anemic, respectively). Baseline MDRD values were 36 vs. 40 mL/min and albumin 4.1 vs. 4.3 g/dL; reduction in MDRD was greater in those that developed anemia (6.8 vs. 1.6 mL/min/1.73 m2/3 years). These patients progressed earlier to CKD-4 or 5 (18 vs. 28 months), with a higher proportion of hospitalizations (31 vs. 16%), major CV events (16 vs. 7%), and higher mortality (10 vs. 6.6%) than those without anemia. Multivariate logistic regression indicated a significant association between baseline hemoglobin (OR=0.35; 95% CI: 0.24-0.28), glomerular filtration rate (OR=0.96; 95% CI: 0.93-0.99), female (OR=0.19; 95% CI: 0.10-0.40) and the development of renal anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Renal anemia is associated with a more rapid evolution to CKD-4, and a higher risk of CV events and hospitalization in non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients. This suggests that special attention should be paid to anemic CKD-3 patients.

Epidemiological and clinical complexity of amoxicillin-clavulanate-resistant Escherichia coli.

Two hundred twelve patients with colonization/infection due to amoxicillin-clavulanate (AMC)-resistant Escherichia coli were studied. OXA-1- and inhibitor-resistant TEM (IRT)-producing strains were associated with urinary tract infections, while OXA-1 producers and chromosomal AmpC hyperproducers were associated with bacteremic infections. AMC resistance in E. coli is a complex phenomenon with heterogeneous clinical implications.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections worldwide: the definitive data of the CIAOW Study.

The CIAOW study (Complicated intra-abdominal infections worldwide observational study) is a multicenter observational study underwent in 68 medical institutions worldwide during a six-month study period (October 2012-March 2013). The study included patients older than 18 years undergoing surgery or interventional drainage to address complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs). 1898 patients with a mean age of 51.6 years (range 18-99) were enrolled in the study. 777 patients (41%) were women and 1,121 (59%) were men. Among these patients, 1,645 (86.7%) were affected by community-acquired IAIs while the remaining 253 (13.3%) suffered from healthcare-associated infections. Intraperitoneal specimens were collected from 1,190 (62.7%) of the enrolled patients. 827 patients (43.6%) were affected by generalized peritonitis while 1071 (56.4%) suffered from localized peritonitis or abscesses. The overall mortality rate was 10.5% (199/1898). According to stepwise multivariate analysis (PR = 0.005 and PE = 0.001), several criteria were found to be independent variables predictive of mortality, including patient age (OR = 1.1; 95%CI = 1.0-1.1; p < 0.0001), the presence of small bowel perforation (OR = 2.8; 95%CI = 1.5-5.3; p < 0.0001), a delayed initial intervention (a delay exceeding 24 hours) (OR = 1.8; 95%CI = 1.5-3.7; p < 0.0001), ICU admission (OR = 5.9; 95%CI = 3.6-9.5; p < 0.0001) and patient immunosuppression (OR = 3.8; 95%CI = 2.1-6.7; p < 0.0001).

Umbilical cord blood transplantation from unrelated donors in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

There are very few disease-specific studies focusing on outcomes of umbilical cord blood transplantation for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We report the outcome of 45 patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia who underwent myeloablative single unit cord blood transplantation from unrelated donors within the GETH/GITMO cooperative group. Conditioning regimens were based on combinations of thiotepa, busulfan, cyclophospamide or fludarabine, and antithymocyte globulin. At the time of transplantation, 35 patients (78%) were in first complete remission, four (8%) in second complete remission and six (14%) in third or subsequent response. The cumulative incidence of myeloid engraftment was 96% at a median time of 20 days and significantly better for patients receiving higher doses of CD34(+) cells. The incidence of acute grade II-IV graft-versus-host disease was 31%, while that of overall chronic graft-versus-host disease was 53%. Treatment-related mortality was 17% at day +100 and 31% at 5 years. The 5-year relapse, event-free survival and overall survival rates were 31%, 36% and 44%, respectively. Although the event-free and overall survival rates in patients without BCR/ABL transcripts detectable at time of transplant were better than those in whom BCR/ABL transcripts were detected (46% versus 24% and 60% versus 30%, respectively) these differences were not statistically significant in the univariate analysis (P=0.07). These results demonstrate that umbilical cord blood transplantation from unrelated donors can be a curative treatment for a substantial number of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Classification and clinical behavior of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms according to their maturation-associated immunophenotypic profile.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare subtype of leukemia/lymphoma, whose diagnosis can be difficult to achieve due to its clinical and biological heterogeneity, as well as its overlapping features with other hematologic malignancies. In this study we investigated whether the association between the maturational stage of tumor cells and the clinico-biological and prognostic features of the disease, based on the analysis of 46 BPDCN cases classified into three maturation-associated subgroups on immunophenotypic grounds. Our results show that blasts from cases with an immature plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) phenotype exhibit an uncommon CD56- phenotype, coexisting with CD34+ non-pDC tumor cells, typically in the absence of extramedullary (e.g. skin) disease at presentation. Conversely, patients with a more mature blast cell phenotype more frequently displayed skin/extramedullary involvement and spread into secondary lymphoid tissues. Despite the dismal outcome, acute lymphoblastic leukemia-type therapy (with central nervous system prophylaxis) and/or allogeneic stem cell transplantation appeared to be the only effective therapies. Overall, our findings indicate that the maturational profile of pDC blasts in BPDCN is highly heterogeneous and translates into a wide clinical spectrum -from acute leukemia to mature lymphoma-like behavior-, which may also lead to variable diagnosis and treatment.

Erros de medicação: tipos, fatores causais e providências tomadas em quatro hospitais brasileiros

Este estudo analisou, em quatro hospitais brasileiros, tipos, causas, providências administrativas tomadas e sugestões, em relação aos erros na medicação, na perspectiva dos profissionais envol-vidos no sistema de medicação. Trata-se de um estudo multicêntrico, do tipo survey exploratório. A amostra constou de profissionais de clínica médica e farmácia, dos referidos hospitais. Para coleta de dados, utilizou-se a técnica de entrevista semi-estruturada. Os resultados evidenciaram que os tipos de erros mais citados pelos profissionais foram aqueles relacionados à prescrição/transcrição dos medicamentos. A falta de atenção, falhas individuais e problemas na administração dos serviços constituíram importantes atributos das causas dos erros. Relatórios foram as prin-cipais providências tomadas ante os erros e mudanças nas atitudes individuais as mais citadas como forma de prevení-los.

Estratégias de comunicação utilizadas por profissionais de saúde na atenção à pacientes sob cuidados paliativos

O presente estudo objetivou verificar a relevância e a utilização de estratégias de comunicação em cuidados paliativos. Estudo quantitativo multicêntrico, realizado entre agosto/2008 e julho/2009, junto a 303 profissionais de saúde que trabalhavam com pacientes sob cuidados paliativos, por meio da aplicação de questionário. Os dados foram submetidos a tratamento estatístico descritivo. A maioria (57,7%) não foi capaz de citar ao menos uma estratégia de comunicação verbal e apenas 15,2% mencionaram cinco sinais ou estratégias não verbais. As estratégias verbais mais citadas foram as de cunho interrogativo sobre a doença/tratamento e, dentre as não verbais, destacaram-se o toque afetivo, olhar, sorriso, proximidade física e escuta ativa. Embora os profissionais tenham atribuído alto grau de relevância para a comunicação em cuidados paliativos, evidenciaram escasso conhecimento de estratégias de comunicação. Faz-se necessária a capacitação dos profissionais no que tange à comunicação em cuidados paliativos.

Exame da cavidade bucal de pacientes com câncer: avaliação clínica e dosagem indireta de óxido nítrico

Neste estudo buscou-se verificar associação entre avaliação clínica da cavidade oral (pelos Índices de dentes Cariados,Perdidos e Obturados e Índice de Higiene Oral - Simplificado) e a determinação indireta de óxido nítrico em pacientes com patologias onco-hematológicas. Trata-se de estudo observacional, no qual foram incluídos vinte sujeitos internados, diagnosticados com Leucemia (35%), Linfoma (50%), Mieloma (15%), em avaliação para início de quimioterapia, sendo que 50% apresentaram normalidade da condição bucal (sem lesões ou traumas); a maioria apresentou higiene satisfatória (35%) ou regular (35%), porém, 30% tiveram higiene deficiente ou péssima. A expressão indireta do óxido nítrico variou de 13,34 a 257. O óxido nítrico não apresentou associação com os outros parâmetros; houve grande variabilidade de seus valores. Novos estudos são necessários, em especial pela potencialidade deste indicador na detecção precoce de alterações bucais.

Qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer hematológico em tratamento quimioterápico

Estudo descritivo, transversal desenvolvido com objetivo de associar aspectos socio demográficos e clínicos aos domínios de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS), para avaliar pacientes onco-hematológicos submetidos à quimioterapia. Na coleta de dados utilizou-se um instrumento sociodemográfico e clínico e o European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC) QLQ-C-30. A amostra foi constituída de 32 pacientes, sendo oito (25%) com diagnóstico de linfoma de Hodgkin, nove (28,12%) linfoma não Hodgkin e 15 (46,87%) leucemia. Os dados foram analisados pelo software Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). O QLQ-C-30 mostrou média das funções física, cognitiva, emocional, social e desempenho de papel de 54,81 a 41,18, demonstrando um nível pouco satisfatório. Nas escalas de sintomas, houve predomínio de fadiga média 64,57 seguida de insônia (56,90) e perda de apetite (50,71). Esses sintomas interferiram nas funções físicas, emocionais e cognitivas demonstrando que efeitos colaterais do tratamento influenciam negativamente na QVRS dos pacientes.

Associação entre sintomas de insônia e artrite reumatóide em idosos

Esse estudo objetivou avaliar sintomas de insônia em idosos residentes na comunidade e sua associação com a artrite reumatóide. Estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, recorte do projeto multicêntrico Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros . Foram avaliados 689 idosos (68,9% mulheres, média de idade 72,2 anos) utilizando-se questionário sociodemográfico e sobre condições clínicas, questões sobre sintomas de insônia (Perfil de Saúde de Nottingham) e teste de rastreio para alterações cognitivas (Mini-exame do Estado Mental). Utilizou-se análise descritiva e análise de regressão logística múltipla, com nível de significância de 5%. A associação entre sintomas de insônia e artrite reumatóide manteve-se significativa na análise multivariada; outros fatores associados foram avaliação subjetiva da saúde muito ruim, não ser aposentado e apresentar depressão. Os profissionais da área da saúde devem investigar cuidadosamente a qualidade do sono noturno dos idosos acometidos por artrite reumatóide, dada sua elevada prevalência nessa população.

Índices predictivos de fibrosis en la detección del hígado graso no alcohólico: utilidad en Atención Primaria.

El hígado graso no alcohólico(HGNA) es una entidad muy prevalente que se asocia con un aumento del riesgo cardiovascular global. Normalmente es asintomática. Los índices serológicos de fibrosis se están investigando para su diagnóstico. Objetivo: analizar la utilidad de los índices HAIR, FLI y LAP para el diagnóstico del HGNA y la concordancia entre ellos. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, poblacional, multicéntrico realizado en Atención Primaria en sujetos sanos de entre 15-85 años. Las prevalencias fueron de HAIR 68,1%, FLI 46,8%, LAP 56%. Concordancia modesta de los índices. Es necesario seguir investigando para encontrar un índice útil para el diagnóstico.

Estudio etnográfico sobre la percepción que tienen las enfermeras de su rol docente respecto a los alumnos de enfermería y su vinculación con la identidad profesional

Existe una importante discusión alrededor de cuáles son las funciones de Enfermería, los roles que nos identifican y que aplicamos en nuestro trabajo. La comprensión de los roles que la Enfermería desempeña, así como de las influencias, de las expectativas y de los límites del comportamiento social derivados de tales roles son importantes para mostrarnos como profesión. Si estructuramos las distintas actividades que lleva a cabo el profesional de enfermería podemos diferenciar las siguientes funciones: Asistencia, gestión, docencia e investigación. En este trabajo nos centraremos en la función docente. Cuando nos referimos a la función docente enfermera lo relacionamos con la función de educación a la sociedad, fruto del compromiso de buscar alternativas innovadoras que mejoren la calidad de vida de la población o bien a la función docente desde el punto de vista de profesor universitario o en los últimos tiempos, y más limitado al proceso de aprendizaje que se realiza en los hospitales, a la función que realiza el tutor de las prácticas clínicas. El proceso de socialización de alumnos se produce durante el periodo de prácticas. Es la manera de transmitir el cuidado, la identidad profesional. Las actitudes de los profesionales de enfermería adquieren una complejidad especial, ya que no todos reconocen como una responsabilidad con la profesión enfermera el contribuir a la formación de los futuros profesionales. El objetivo principal del estudio será explorar la percepción que tienen las enfermeras del rol docente en relación a los alumnos de enfermería y su vinculación con la identidad profesional. El estudio será multicéntrico y se ajustará a un diseño cualitativo con perspectiva etnográfica. La población diana estará formada por enfermeras asistenciales de hospitalización de tres hospitales catalanes. No se determina la muestra ya que se prevé utilizar un muestreo de conveniencia hasta la saturación de los datos. La técnica de recogida de datos será la observación y posteriormente entrevistas en profundidad y grupos de discusión con las enfermeras observadas y foco de este estudio. El análisis de los datos estará sujeto al enfoque hermenéutico bajo el marco teórico de la Teoría de la Acción Comunicativa de Habermas.