Head and neck cancer: past, present and future

Head and neck cancer consists of a diverse group of cancers that ranges from cutaneous, lip, salivary glands, sinuses, oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Each group dictates different management. In this review, the primary focus is on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) arising from the mucosal lining of the oral cavity and pharynx, excluding nasopharyngeal cancer. Presently, HNSCC is the sixth most prevalent neoplasm in the world, with approximately 900,000 cases diagnosed worldwide. Prognosis has improved little in the past 30 years. In those who have survived, pain, disfigurement and physical disability from treatment have had an enormous psychosocial impact on their lives. Management of these patients remains a challenge, especially in developing countries where this disease is most common. Of all human cancers, HNSCC is the most distressing since the head and neck is the site of the most complex functional anatomy in the human body. Its areas of responsibility include breathing, the CNS, vision, hearing, balance, olfaction, taste, swallowing, voice, endocrine and cosmesis. Cancers that occur in this area impact on these important human functions. Consequently, in treating cancers of the head and neck, the effects of the treatment on the functional outcome of the patient need the most serious consideration. In assessing the success of HNSCC treatment, consideration of both the survival and functional deficits that the patient may suffer as a consequence of their treatment are of paramount importance. For this reason, the modern-day management of head and neck patients should be carried out in a multidisciplinary head and neck clinic.

Neonatal neurodevelopment outcomes following tocolysis with glycerol trinitrate patches

Objective: The object of this study was to determine the effects of maternal tocolysis with glycerol trinitrate (GTN) patches on the neurodevelopment of infants. Study design: This was a randomized, multicenter, controlled trial comparing the efficacy of GTN patches with standard beta 2 agonist as tocolytic therapy. The previously reported outcomes of this study indicated no difference in neonatal mortality or morbidity to hospital discharge. One hundred fifty-six surviving infants from 2 Australian centers were psychometrically assessed using the Griffiths Mental development Scales (revised) at 18 months of age. Results: There was no difference in psychometric performance between those infants enrolled in either the GTN (81 infants) or beta 2 agonist (75 infants) arm of the study. Conclusion: This randomized trial supports no significant difference between GTN patches in comparison with standard beta 2 agonist for tocolytic therapy. The results underscore the association between premature labor and adverse infant outcomes. (c) 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Levonorgestrel intrauterine system versus medical therapy for menorrhagia

Background - Menorrhagia is a common problem, yet evidence to inform decisions about therapy is limited. In a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized trial, we compared the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (levonorgestrel-IUS) with usual medical treatment in women with menorrhagia who presented to their primary care providers. Methods - We randomly assigned 571 women with menorrhagia to treatment with levonorgestrel-IUS or usual medical treatment (tranexamic acid, mefenamic acid, combined estrogen–progestogen, or progesterone alone). The primary outcome was the patient-reported score on the Menorrhagia Multi-Attribute Scale (MMAS) (ranging from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating greater severity), assessed over a 2-year period. Secondary outcomes included general quality-of-life and sexual-activity scores and surgical intervention. Results - MMAS scores improved from baseline to 6 months in both the levonorgestrel-IUS group and the usual-treatment group (mean increase, 32.7 and 21.4 points, respectively; P<0.001 for both comparisons). The improvements were maintained over a 2-year period but were significantly greater in the levonorgestrel-IUS group than in the usual-treatment group (mean between-group difference, 13.4 points; 95% confidence interval, 9.9 to 16.9; P<0.001). Improvements in all MMAS domains (practical difficulties, social life, family life, work and daily routine, psychological well-being, and physical health) were significantly greater in the levonorgestrel-IUS group than in the usual-treatment group, and this was also true for seven of the eight quality-of-life domains. At 2 years, more of the women were still using the levonorgestrel-IUS than were undergoing the usual medical treatment (64% vs. 38%, P<0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in the rates of surgical intervention or sexual-activity scores. There were no significant differences in serious adverse events between groups. Conclusions - In women with menorrhagia who presented to primary care providers, the levonorgestrel-IUS was more effective than usual medical treatment in reducing the effect of heavy menstrual bleeding on quality of life. (Funded by the National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme; ECLIPSE Controlled-Trials.com number, ISRCTN86566246.)

Levonorgestrel intrauterine system versus medical therapy for menorrhagia

ABSTRACT: Menorrhagia is a common problem that interferes with a woman’s physical, emotional, and social life. Evidence to guide physicians for decision about therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding is lacking. One treatment option, the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (levonorgestrel-IUS), has been available in the United States since 2009. Updated meta-analyses comparing the levonorgestrel-IUS with nonhormonal and hormonal treatments showed that the levonorgestrel-IUS produced a greater reduction in menstrual blood loss at 3 to 12 months of follow-up. It is not clear whether these short-term benefits persist. Moreover, the rates of discontinuation of the levonorgestrel-IUS at 2 years are as high as 28%, and effects on bleeding-related quality of life are not known. This pragmatic, multicenter, randomized trial compared the effectiveness of the levonorgestrel-IUS with that of usual medical treatment among women with menorrhagia in a primary care setting. A total of 571 women with menorrhagia were randomized to treatment with levonorgestrel-IUS (n = 285) or usual medical treatment (n = 286). Usual treatment was tranexamic acid, mefenamic acid, combined estrogen-progestogen, or progesterone alone. The primary study outcome measure was the patient-reported score on the condition-specific Menorrhagia Multi-Attribute Scale (MMAS) assessed over a 2-year period. The MMAS scores range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating greater severity. Summary MMAS scores were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months. Secondary outcome measures included general health-related quality of life, sexual-activity scores, and surgical intervention. There was a significant improvement in total MMAS scores from baseline to 6 months in both the levonorgestrel-IUS group and the usual-treatment group; the mean increase was 32.7 and 21.4 points, respectively; P < 0.001 for both comparisons. Over the 2-year follow-up, improvements were maintained in both groups but were significantly greater in the levonorgestrel-IUS group (mean between-group difference, 13.4 points; 95% confidence interval, 9.9–16.9; P < 0.001). Significantly greater improvements in all MMAS domains (practical difficulties, social life, psychological health, physical health, work and daily routine, and family life and relationships) occurred with the levonorgestrel-IUS than with the usual treatment (P < 0.001 with the use of a test for trend). This was also found for 7 of the 8 quality-of-life domains. At the 2-year end point, almost twice as many women were still using the levonorgestrel-IUS than were those receiving the usual medical treatment (64% vs 38%, P < 0.001). No significant between-group differences were noted in the rates of surgical intervention or sexual-activity scores as well as in the frequency of serious adverse events. These data show that levonorgestrel-IUS is more effective than usual medical treatment in improving the quality of life of women with menorrhagia in a primary care setting.

Incontinence : stress urinary incontinence treatment—surgery first?

A randomized trial involving 460 women with stress urinary incontinence compared physiotherapy with midurethral-sling surgery. We question whether the results, showing higher rates of improvement and cure for surgery than for physiotherapy, should change best practice and clinical practice guideline recommendations.

Incontinence : stress urinary incontinence treatment—surgery first?

A randomized trial involving 460 women with stress urinary incontinence compared physiotherapy with midurethral-sling surgery. We question whether the results, showing higher rates of improvement and cure for surgery than for physiotherapy, should change best practice and clinical practice guideline recommendations.

Acceptance of relapse fears in breast cancer patients: effects of an act-based abridged intervention

Objective: Relapse fear is a common psychological scar in cancer survivors. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of an abridged version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in breast cancer patients.Method: An open trial was developed with 12 non-metastatic breast cancer patients assigned to 2 conditions, ACT and waiting list. Interventions were applied in just one session and focused on the acceptance of relapse fears through a ‘defusion’ exercise. Interference and intensity of fear measured through subjective scales were collected after each intervention and again 3 months later. Distress, hypochondria and ‘anxious preocupation’ were also evaluated through standardized questionnaires.Results: The analysis revealed that ‘defusion’ contributed to decrease the interference of the fear of recurrence, and these changes were maintained three months after intervention in most subjects. 87% of participants showed clinically significant decreases in interference at follow-up sessions whereas no patient in the waiting list showed such changes. Statistical analysis revealed that the changes in interference were significant when comparing pre, post and follow-up treatment, and also when comparing ACT and waiting list groups. Changes in intensity of fear, distress, anxious preoccupation and hypochondria were also observed.Conclusions: Exposure through ‘defusion’ techniques might be considered a useful option for treatment of persistent fears in cancer patients. This study provides evidence for therapies focusing on psychological acceptance in cancer patients through short, simple and feasible therapeutic methods.

CLLU1 expression has prognostic value in chronic lymphocytic leukemia after first-line therapy in younger patients and in those with mutated IGHV genes.

CLLU1, located at chromosome 12q22, encodes a transcript specific to chronic lymphocytic leukemia and has potential prognostic value. We assessed the value of CLLU1 expression in the LRF CLL4 randomized trial. Samples from 515 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were collected immediately before the start of treatment. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, CLLU1 expression was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In total, 247 and 268 samples were identified as having low and high CLLU1 expression, respectively. The median follow-up was 88 months. High CLLU1 expression was significantly correlated with unmutated IGHV genes, ZAP-70 and CD38 positivity, and absence of 13q deletion (all r>0.2, P

Efectividad de la deslaminación mecánica con bisturí en la eliminación de helomas e hiperqueratosis

Introducción El motivo principal por el que acuden los pacientes a las consultas de podología es el dolor producido por los callos y callosidades plantares. El dolor producido por las callosidades y callos plantares provocan en el paciente cambios de presiones y alteraciones en el apoyo, dificultando la deambulación correcta. Existen numerosos estudios sobre la eliminación de callosidades en pacientes diabéticos, con AR, pero pocos en personas sanas. La eliminación de estos callos y callosidades se puede realizar mediante deslaminación mecánica con bisturí o mediante queratolíticos. Objetivos Objetivo principal Analizar el efecto de la deslaminación mecánica con bisturí de las callosidades y callos plantares sobre el dolor y la calidad de vida en sujetos sanos Objetivos secundarios Determinar la existencia de modificaciones en los parámetros de la marcha con la eliminación de callosidades y callos plantares Observar las diferencias y efectividad de tratamientos de la eliminación de callosidades plantares mediante la técnica de deslaminación mecánica con bisturí versus parches de ácido salicílico Comprobar los cambios producidos en los parámetros psíquicos y fiscos del paciente antes y después de las diferentes técnicas de eliminación de las callosidades empleadas Método Se realizan dos estudios: un estudio cuasi experimental aleatorizado no controlado, en el que a un grupo de 34 pacientes con callosidades plantares dolorosas se les mide el dolor con una escala visual analógica y para analizar los parámetros de la marcha, la paltaformaWin-Track, antes del tratamiento de deslaminación mecánica con bisturí y a las 24 horas. El segundo estudio es un ensayo clínico aleatorizado inscrito en Australian New ZelandClinicalstrials y aprobado por el Comité ético de la Universidad de Málaga, en el que 62 participantes con callosidades plantares dolorosas se dividieron en dos grupos de tratamiento. El grupo A recibió tratamiento con parche de ácido salicílico y el grupo B recibió tratmiento de deslaminación con bisturí. Se utilizó la escala visual analógica para la medida de dolor antes, inmediatamente después de la intervención, a las 2 semanas y a las 6 semanas. Para el dolor y la discapacidad funcional del pie se utilizó el cuestionario Manchester FootPain and Disability antes del tratamiento, a las 2 semanas y a las 6 semanas. Para medir la calidad de vida general se utilizó el cuestionario SF-12 Conclusiones La deslaminación mecánica con bisturí de los callos y callosidades plantares es efectiva para su eliminación a nivel de la sensación de dolor, aunque no tanto en lo que se refiere a la mejora de calidad de vida. No hay resultados significativos de que la eliminación mecánica con bisturí de callos y callosidades plantares modifican los parámetros de la marcha medido con la plataforma Win-track. Se observa como la deslaminación mecánica con bisturí para la eliminación de callos y callosidades plantares pueden ser más efectiva a corto plazo que la eliminación mediante parche con ácido salicílico. Se observa cómo se modifica los paramentos psíquicos en el grupo de tratamiento con parche con ácido salicílico, aunque con una significación baja. Bibliografía Balanowski, K. R., & Flynn, L. M. (2005). Effect of painful keratoses debridement on foot pain, balance and function in older adults. Gait & Posture, 22(4), 302-307. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2004.10.006 Collins, S. L., Moore, R. A., &McQuay, H. J. (1997). The visual analogue pain intensity scale: what is moderate pain in millimetres? Pain, 72(1-2), 95-97. Coughlin, M. J. (2000).Common Causes of Pain in the Forefoot in Adults. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, British Volume, 82-B(6), 781-790. Farndon, L. J., Vernon, W., Walters, S. J., Dixon, S., Bradburn, M., Concannon, M., & Potter, J. (2013). The effectiveness of salicylic acid plasters compared with «usual» scalpel debridement of corns: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 6(1), 40. http://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1146-6-40 Freeman, D. B. (2002). Corns and calluses resulting from mechanical hyperkeratosis. American FamilyPhysician, 65(11), 2277-2280. Gijon-Nogueron, G., Ndosi, M., Luque-Suarez, A., Alcacer-Pitarch, B., Munuera, P. V., Garrow, A., & Redmond, A. C. (2014). Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index into Spanish. Quality of Life Research: An International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation, 23(2), 571-579. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0507-5 Grouios, G. (2005). Footedness as a potential factor that contributes to the causation of corn and callus formation in lower extremities of physically active individuals. The Foot, 15(3), 154-162. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2005.05.003 Landorf, K. B., Morrow, A., Spink, M. J., Nash, C. L., Novak, A., Potter, J., &Menz, H. B. (2013). Effectiveness of scalpel debridement for painful plantar calluses in older people: a randomized trial. Trials, 14, 243. http://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-14-243 Lang, L. M. G., Simmonite, N., West, S. G., & Day, S. (1994). Salicylic acid in the treatment of corns. The Foot, 4(3), 145-150. http://doi.org/10.1016/0958-2592(94)90019-1 Luo, X., Lynn George, M., Kakouras, I., Edwards, C. L., Pietrobon, R., Richardson, W., & Hey, L. (2003). Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the short form 12-item survey (SF-12) in patients with back pain. Spine, 28(15), 1739-1745. http://doi.org/10.1097/01.BRS.0000083169.58671.96 Ramachandra, P., Maiya, A. G., & Kumar, P. (2012). Test-retest reliability of the Win-Track platform in analyzing the gait parameters and plantar pressures during barefoot walking in healthy adults. Foot & Ankle Specialist, 5(5), 306-312. http://doi.org/10.1177/1938640012457680 Siddle, H. J., Redmond, A. C., Waxman, R., Dagg, A. R., Alcacer-Pitarch, B., Wilkins, R. A., &Helliwell, P. S. (2013). Debridement of painful forefoot plantar callosities in rheumatoid arthritis: the CARROT randomised controlled trial. Clinical Rheumatology, 32(5), 567-574. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-012-2134-x

Effects of oat bran and nutrition counseling on the lipid and glucose profile and anthropometric parameters of hypercholesterolemia patients

Background: In order to prevent chronic, non communicable disease, it is essential that lifestyle is modified to include a diet high in fiber. Aim: To assess the effect oat bran (OB) in conjunction with nutrition counseling (NC) have on lipid and glucose profile, anthropometric parameters, quality of diet, and ingestion of ultraprocessed foods (UPF) and additives in hypercholesterolemia sufferers. Method: This was a 90-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled, block-randomized trial undertaken on 132 men and women with LDL-c ≥ 130 mg/dL. The participants were sorted into two groups: OB Group (OBG) and Placebo Group (PLG), and were given NC and 40g of either OB or rice flour, respectively. Lipid and glucose profile were assessed, as were the anthropometric data, quality of diet (Diet Quality Index revised for the Brazilian population - DQI-R) and whether or not UPF or additives were consumed. Results: Both groups showed a significant decrease in anthropometric parameters and blood pressure, as well as a significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol. There was also an improvement in DQI-R in both groups and a decrease in consumption of UPF. Blood sugar, HOMA-IR and QUICKI values were found to be significantly lower only in the OBG. Conclusion: Our findings in lipid profile and anthropometric parameters signify that NC has a beneficial effect, which is attributable to the improved quality of diet and reduced consumption of UPF. Daily consumption of 40 g of OB was found to be of additional benefit, in decreasing insulin-resistance parameters.

Utility and safety of invasive (fractional flow reserve) and non-invasive (cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) diagnostic tests in patients with NSTEMI

A prospective randomised controlled clinical trial of treatment decisions informed by invasive functional testing of coronary artery disease severity compared with standard angiography-guided management was implemented in 350 patients with a recent non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) admitted to 6 hospitals in the National Health Service. The main aims of this study were to examine the utility of both invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) and non-invasive cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) amongst patients with a recent diagnosis of NSTEMI. In summary, the findings of this thesis are: (1) the use of FFR combined with intravenous adenosine was feasible and safe amongst patients with NSTEMI and has clinical utility; (2) there was discordance between the visual, angiographic estimation of lesion significance and FFR; (3). The use of FFR led to changes in treatment strategy and an increase in prescription of medical therapy in the short term compared with an angiographically guided strategy; (4) in the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 12 months follow up was similar in the two groups. Cardiac MRI was used in a subset of patients enrolled in two hospitals in the West of Scotland. T1 and T2 mapping methods were used to delineate territories of acute myocardial injury. T1 and T2 mapping were superior when compared with conventional T2-weighted dark blood imaging for estimation of the ischaemic area-at-risk (AAR) with less artifact in NSTEMI. There was poor correlation between the angiographic AAR and MRI methods of AAR estimation in patients with NSTEMI. FFR had a high accuracy at predicting inducible perfusion defects demonstrated on stress perfusion MRI. This thesis describes the largest randomized trial published to date specifically looking at the clinical utility of FFR in the NSTEMI population. We have provided evidence of the diagnostic and clinical utility of FFR in this group of patients and provide evidence to inform larger studies. This thesis also describes the largest ever MRI cohort, including with myocardial stress perfusion assessments, specifically looking at the NSTEMI population. We have demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy of FFR to predict reversible ischaemia as referenced to a non-invasive gold standard with MRI. This thesis has also shown the futility of using dark blood oedema imaging amongst all comer NSTEMI patients when compared to novel T1 and T2 mapping methods.

Medición de la cultura de seguridad del paciente en un hospital público de primer nivel en el municipio de Villeta

Esta investigación midió la percepción del personal asistencial sobre la cultura de seguridad de los pacientes en un hospital de primer nivel de complejidad por medio de un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se utilizó como herramienta de medición la encuesta ‘Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Cultura’ (HSOPSC) de la Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) versión en español, la cual evalúa doce dimensiones. Los resultados mostraron fortalezas como el aprendizaje organizacional, las mejoras continuas y el apoyo de los administradores para la seguridad del paciente. Las dimensiones clasificadas como oportunidades de mejora fueron la cultura no punitiva, el personal, las transferencias y transiciones y el grado en que la comunicación es abierta. Se concluyó que aunque el personal percibía como positivo el proceso de mejoramiento y apoyo de la administración también sentía que era juzgado si reportaba algún evento adverso.

Impacto del Programa de Alimentación Escolar en el Trabajo Infantil: Una aproximación desde la toma de decisiones familiares

Esta investigación analiza el impacto del Programa de Alimentación Escolar en el trabajo infantil en Colombia a través de varias técnicas de evaluación de impacto que incluyen emparejamiento simple, emparejamiento genético y emparejamiento con reducción de sesgo. En particular, se encuentra que este programa disminuye la probabilidad de que los escolares trabajen alrededor de un 4%. Además, se explora que el trabajo infantil se reduce gracias a que el programa aumenta la seguridad alimentaria, lo que consecuentemente cambia las decisiones de los hogares y anula la carga laboral en los infantes. Son numerosos los avances en primera infancia llevados a cabo por el Estado, sin embargo, estos resultados sirven de base para construir un marco conceptual en el que se deben rescatar y promover las políticas públicas alimentarias en toda la edad escolar.

Revisión sistemática utilidad de asa y calcio con o sin vitamina d en la prevención de cáncer colorrectal y la recurrencia de pólipos adenomatosos en paciente con riesgo de padecer esta patología

Introducción: El cáncer colorrectal es una patología con alto impacto en la salud pública, debido a su prevalencia, incidencia, severidad, costo e impacto en la salud mental y física del individuo y la familia. Ensayos clínicos realizados en pacientes con antecedente de infarto al miocardio que consumían ácido acetil salicílico (asa), calcio con y sin vitamina D, mostraron asociación entre el consumo de estos medicamentos y disminución en la incidencia en cáncer colorrectal y pólipos adenomatosos. Objetivo: Evaluar la literatura sobre el uso de asa, calcio con y sin vitamina D con relación a su impacto en la prevención del cáncer colorrectal y pólipos adenomatosos. Métodos: Se realizó revisión sistemática buscando ensayos clínicos realizados en pacientes con factores de riesgo para cáncer colorrectal y pólipos adenomatosos que usaron asa, calcio con y sin vitamina D fueron incluidos. Resultados: se escogieron 105 para la revisión sistemática. Conclusiones: Es necesario desarrollar más estudios que lleven a evaluar el efecto protector de la aspirina, calcio y vitamina D. En los artículos revisados la aspirina a dosis de 81 a 325 mg día se correlaciona con reducción de riesgo de aparición de CRC aunque la dosis ideal, el tiempo de inicio y la duración de la ingesta continua no son claros. Hacen falta estudios que comparen poblaciones con ingesta de asa a diferentes dosis.

Depresión en pacientes con epilepsia: Revisión sistemática de la literatura

Esta revisión sistemática de la literatura tuvo como objetivo investigar sobre la depresión en personas con epilepsia en la última década (2005-2015), enfocándose en identificar en el paciente con epilepsia: características sociodemográficas, prevalencia de la depresión, tipos de intervención para el manejo de la depresión, factores asociados con la aparición y el mantenimiento de la depresión y por último, identificar las tendencias en investigación en el estudio de la depresión en pacientes con epilepsia. Se revisaron 103 artículos publicados entre 2005 y 2015 en bases de datos especializadas. Los resultados revelaron que la prevalencia de depresión en pacientes con epilepsia es diversa y oscila en un rango amplio entre 3 y 70 %, por otro lado, que las principales características sociodemográficas asociadas a la depresión está el ser mujer, tener un estado civil soltero y tener una edad comprendida entre los 25 y los 45 años. A esto se añade, que los tratamientos conformados por terapia psicológica y fármacos, son la mejor opción para garantizar la eficacia en los resultados del manejo de la depresión en los pacientes con epilepsia. Con respecto a los factores asociados a la aparición de la depresión en pacientes con epilepsia, se identificaron causas tanto neurobiológicas como psicosociales, asimismo los factores principales asociados al mantenimiento fueron una percepción de baja calidad de vida y una baja auto-eficacia. Y finalmente los tipos de investigación más comunes son de tipo aplicado, de carácter descriptivo, transversales y de medición cuantitativa.