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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a significant clinical challenge, often leading to amputations and hospitalisation. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of DFUs treated with surgical debridement and standardised wound care. This descriptive cross-sectional study focused on diabetic patients with appropriate vascular conditions, as determined by an Ankle Brachial Index >0.9. Based on their infection status, participants were admitted to Poursina Hospital in Rasht, Iran, and subjected to initial supportive measures, antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement. The study incorporated primary treatment with wet bandages, silver spray and fibrinolysin ointment. Statistical analysis employed SPSS 22 software. Most patients were male (54.7%) and under 60 years old (50.7%). Overweight status was prevalent in 69.3% of diabetic ulcer patients, amongst whom 48% underwent wrist debridement. The 64% and 36% of the cases had grade III and grade II Texas index. Moreover, 96% of patients exhibited signs of infection and were classified as Stage Texas B. Reoperation was necessary for 34.7% of patients. The mean hospital stay was 8.5 ± 7.55 days, and the average recovery time was 15.2 ± 15.19 days. Out of 75 patients, 10 were unable to return to limb function due to disability. In this study, around one-third of patients required secondary repair with grafts and flaps. A small number of them were unable to recover because of underlying disability, and the mean recovery time in other cases was 24 days. Future studies should follow up with patients for longer periods to assess long-term therapeutic outcomes and quality of life.
Background and aims: Bacteria in wounds can lead to stagnation of wound healing as well as to local or even systemic wound infections up to potentially lethal sepsis. Consequently, the bacterial load should be reduced as part of wound treatment. Therefore, the efficacy of simple mechanical wound debridement should be investigated in terms of reducing bacterial colonisation. Patients and methods: Patients with acute or chronic wounds were assessed for bacterial colonisation with a fluorescence camera before and after mechanical wound debridement with sterile cotton pads. If bacterial colonisation persisted, a second, targeted wound debridement was performed. Results: A total of 151 patients, 68 (45.0%) men and 83 (55.0%) women were included in this study. The male mean age was 71.0 years and the female 65.1 years. By establishing a new analysis method for the image files, we could document that the bacterial colonised areas were distributed 21.9% on the wound surfaces, 60.5% on the wound edges (up to 0.5 cm) and 17.6% on the wound surroundings (up to 1.5 cm). One mechanical debridement achieved a significant reduction of bacterial colonised areas by an average of 29.6% in the wounds, 18.9% in the wound edges and 11.8% in the wound surroundings and was increased by performing it a second time. Conclusions: It has been shown that even a simple mechanical debridement with cotton pads can significantly reduce bacterial colonisation without relevant side effects. In particular, the wound edges were the areas that were often most contaminated with bacteria and should be included in the debridement with special attention. Since bacteria remain in wounds after mechanical debridement, it cannot replace antimicrobial therapy strategies, but offer a complementary strategy to improve wound care. Thus, it could be shown that simple mechanical debridement is effective in reducing bacterial load and should be integrated into a therapeutic approach to wounds whenever appropriate.
To achieve an in-depth understanding of the challenges associated with diabetes management when having both schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes, while also identifying the needs for improved diabetes self-care.
The study employed a qualitative explorative design utilizing a phenomenological-hermeneutic inspired approach, involving field observations and individual semistructured interviews.
Data were collected during 2020–2021 through 17 field observations of outpatient consultations and 13 individual semistructured interviews. Data, including field notes and verbatim transcribed interviews, underwent analysis following Ricoeur's interpretive philosophy, encompassing three levels: naïve reading, structural analysis and critical interpretation and discussion. This study adheres to the COREQ guidelines for qualitative research.
Three key themes emerged: ‘Diabetes when life is noisy’, ‘Sacrifices and compromises in life’ and ‘The double silence’. Everyday life is significantly affected when having both schizophrenia and T2D. The mental health state dominates in relation to diabetes self-care and individuals experience challenges balancing between the two conditions. However, there exists a general acknowledgement for diabetes and its long-term complications as a serious medical condition demanding careful attention and treatment.
Self-managing two such complex conditions can be overwhelming and make it difficult for the individual to differentiate symptoms and prioritize diabetes care. Moreover, the existing fragmentation within healthcare systems poses communication challenges, resulting in disjointed patient pathways.
The study emphasizes the need for a holistic re that addresses the physical, emotional and social challenges. There is also a need for increased awareness and education among informal caregivers and healthcare professionals to foster better understanding and support.
Delirium is a common disorder for patients after cardiac surgery. Its manifestation and care can be examined through EHRs. The aim of this retrospective, comparative, and descriptive patient record study was to describe the documentation of delirium symptoms in the EHRs of patients who have undergone cardiac surgery and to explore how the documentation evolved between two periods (2005-2009 and 2015-2020). Randomly selected care episodes were annotated with a template, including delirium symptoms, treatment methods, and adverse events. The patients were then manually classified into two groups: nondelirious (n = 257) and possibly delirious (n = 172). The data were analyzed quantitatively and descriptively. According to the data, the documentation of symptoms such as disorientation, memory problems, motoric behavior, and disorganized thinking improved between periods. Yet, the key symptoms of delirium, inattention, and awareness were seldom documented. The professionals did not systematically document the possibility of delirium. Particularly, the way nurses recorded structural information did not facilitate an overall understanding of a patient's condition with respect to delirium. Information about delirium or proposed care was seldom documented in the discharge summaries. Advanced machine learning techniques can augment instruments that facilitate early detection, care planning, and transferring information to follow-up care. by Andrea Peloso, Stéphanie Lacotte, Quentin Gex, Florence Slits, Beat Moeckli, Graziano Oldani, Matthieu Tihy, Aurélie Hautefort, Brenda Kwak, Laura Rubbia-Brandt, Christian Toso
Background and aimsNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This association is supported by the translocation of bacteria products into the portal system, which acts on the liver through the gut-liver axis. We hypothesize that portosystemic shunting can disrupt this relationship, and prevent NAFLD-associated HCC.
MethodsHCC carcinogenesis was tested in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat high-sucrose diet (HFD) and injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at two weeks of age, and in double transgenic LAP-tTA and TRE-MYC (LAP-Myc) mice fed a methionine-choline-deficient diet. Portosystemic shunts were established by transposing the spleen to the sub-cutaneous tissue at eight weeks of age.
ResultsSpleen transposition led to a consistent deviation of part of the portal flow and a significant decrease in portal pressure. It was associated with a decrease in the number of HCC in both models. This effect was supported by the presence of less severe liver steatosis after 40 weeks, and lower expression levels of liver fatty acid synthase. Also, shunted mice exhibited lower liver oxygen levels, a key factor in preventing HCC as confirmed by the development of less HCCs in mice with hepatic artery ligation.
ConclusionsThe present data show that portosystemic shunting prevents NAFLD-associated HCC, utilizing two independent mouse models. This effect is supported by the development of less steatosis, and a restored liver oxygen level. Portal pressure modulation and shunting deserve further exploration as potential prevention/treatment options for NAFLD and HCC.
This study aims to map and frame the main factors present in support interventions successfully implemented in health organisations in order to provide timely and adequate response to healthcare workers (HCWs) after patient safety incidents (PSIs).
Scoping review guided by the six-stage approach proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and by PRISMA-ScR.
CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Epistemonikos, PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO Citation Index, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, reference lists of the eligible articles, websites and a consultation group.
Empirical studies (original articles) were prioritised. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool Version 2018 to conduct a quality assessment of the eligible studies.
A total of 9766 records were retrieved (last update in November 2022). We assessed 156 articles for eligibility in the full-text screening. Of these, 29 earticles met the eligibility criteria. The articles were independently screened by two authors. In the case of disagreement, a third author was involved. The collected data were organised according to the Organisational factors, People, Environment, Recommendations from other Audies, Attributes of the support interventions. We used EndNote to import articles from the databases and Rayyan to support the screening of titles and abstracts.
The existence of an organisational culture based on principles of trust and non-judgement, multidisciplinary action, leadership engagement and strong dissemination of the support programmes’ were crucial factors for their effective implementation. Training should be provided for peer supporters and leaders to facilitate the response to HCWs’ needs. Regular communication among the implementation team, allocation of protected time, funding and continuous monitoring are useful elements to the sustainability of the programmes.
HCWs’ well-being depends on an adequate implementation of a complex group of interrelated factors to support them after PSIs.
by Isabel Lambrecht, Joanna van Asselt, Derek Headey, Bart Minten, Patrick Meza, Moe Sabai, Thet Su Sun, Hnin Ei Win
For decades, in-person data collection has been the standard modality for nationally and sub-nationally representative socio-economic survey data in low- and middle-income countries. As the COVID-19 pandemic rendered in-person surveys impossible and unethical, the urgent need for rapid monitoring necessitated researchers and statistical agencies to turn to phone surveys. However, apart from pandemic-related factors, a variety of other reasons can render large segments of a population inaccessible for in-person surveys, including political instability, climatic shocks, and remoteness. Such circumstances currently prevail in Myanmar, a country facing civil conflict and political instability since the February 2021 military takeover. Moreover, Myanmar routinely experiences extreme weather events and is characterized by numerous inaccessible and remote regions due to its mountainous geography. We describe a novel approach to sample design and statistical weighting that has been successfully applied in Myanmar to obtain nationally and sub-nationally representative phone survey data. We use quota sampling and entropy weighting to obtain a better geographical distribution compared to recent in-person survey efforts, including reaching respondents in areas of active conflict. Moreover, we minimize biases towards certain household and respondent characteristics that are usually present in phone surveys, for example towards well-educated or wealthy households, or towards men or household heads as respondents. Finally, due to the rapidly changing political and economic situation in Myanmar in 2022, the need for frequent and swift monitoring was critical. We carried out our phone survey over four quarters in 2022, interviewing more than 12,000 respondents in less than three months each survey. A survey of this scale and pace, though generally of much shorter duration than in-person interviews, could only be possible on the phone. Our study proves the feasibility of collecting nationally and sub nationally representative phone survey data using a non-representative sample frame, which is critical for rapid monitoring in any volatile economy.by Nene Kaah Keneh, Sebastien Kenmoe, Arnol Bowo-Ngandji, Jane-Francis Tatah Kihla Akoachere, Hortense Gonsu Kamga, Roland Ndip Ndip, Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo, Cyprien Kengne-Ndé, Donatien Serge Mbaga, Nicholas Tendongfor, Lucy Mande Ndip, Seraphine Nkie Esemu
BackgroundThe emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased and poses a significant threat to human and animal health in Cameroon and the world at large. MRSA strains have infiltrated various settings, including hospitals, communities, and livestock, contributing to increased morbidity, treatment costs, and mortality. This evidence synthesis aims to understand MRSA prevalence, resistance patterns, and genetic characterization in Cameroon.
MethodsThe methodology was consistent with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies of any design containing scientific data on MRSA prevalence, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Cameroon were eligible for inclusion, with no restrictions on language or publication date. The search involved a comprehensive search strategy in several databases including Medline, Embase, Global Health, Web of Science, African Index Medicus, and African Journal Online. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Hoy et al tool, and the results were synthesized and presented in narrative synthesis and/or tables and graphs.
ResultsThe systematic review analyzed 24 studies, mostly conducted after 2010, in various settings in Cameroon. The studies, characterized by moderate to low bias, revealed a wide prevalence of MRSA ranging from 1.9% to 46.8%, with considerable variation based on demographic and environmental factors. Animal (0.2%), food (3.2% to 15.4%), and environmental samples (0.0% to 34.6%) also showed a varied prevalence of MRSA. The genetic diversity of MRSA was heterogeneous, with different virulence gene profiles and clonal lineages identified in various populations and sample types. Antimicrobial resistance rates showed great variability in the different regions of Cameroon, with notable antibiotic resistance recorded for the beta-lactam, fluoroquinolone, glycopeptide, lincosamide, and macrolide families.
ConclusionThis study highlights the significant variability in MRSA prevalence, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Cameroon, and emphasizes the pressing need for comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship strategies in the country.
The aim of this multicentre COVID-PREDICT study (a nationwide observational cohort study that aims to better understand clinical course of COVID-19 and to predict which COVID-19 patients should receive which treatment and which type of care) was to determine the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, complications and discharge destination in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
Data from a historical cohort study in eight hospitals (both academic and non-academic) in the Netherlands between January 2020 and July 2021 were used in this study.
3064 hospitalised COVID-19 patients >18 years old.
The primary outcome was the incidence of new-onset AF during hospitalisation. Secondary outcomes were the association between new-onset AF (vs prevalent or non-AF) and mortality, ICU admissions, complications and discharge destination, performed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Of the 3064 included patients (60.6% men, median age: 65 years, IQR 55–75 years), 72 (2.3%) patients had prevalent AF and 164 (5.4%) patients developed new-onset AF during hospitalisation. Compared with patients without AF, patients with new-onset AF had a higher incidence of death (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.71, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.59) an ICU admission (aOR 5.45, 95% CI 3.90 to 7.61). Mortality was non-significantly different between patients with prevalent AF and those with new-onset AF (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.76). However, new-onset AF was associated with a higher incidence of ICU admission and complications compared with prevalent AF (OR 6.34, 95% CI 2.95 to 13.63, OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.67 to 5.55, respectively).
New-onset AF was associated with an increased incidence of death, ICU admission, complications and a lower chance to be discharged home. These effects were far less pronounced in patients with prevalent AF. Therefore, new-onset AF seems to represent a marker of disease severity, rather than a cause of adverse outcomes.
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a non-infectious, neutrophilic dermatosis that was difficult to diagnose in clinical practice. Today, the PARACELSUS score is a validated tool for diagnostics. Based on this score, patients with clearly diagnosed PG were examined with regard to predilection sites. In this retrospective study, the data of patients from the University Hospitals of Essen and Erlangen were analysed in whom the diagnosis of PG could be clearly confirmed using the PARACELSUS score. A total of 170 patients, 49 men (29%) and 121 women (71%) with an average age at first manifestation of 55.5 years, could be included in the analysis. The predilection sites were identified as the lower legs in 80.6% of the patients and the extensor sides in 75.2%. Other localisations of PG were the thighs in 14.1%, mammae and abdomen in 10.0% each, back and gluteal in 7.1% each, feet in 5.9%, arms in 4.7%, genital in 3.5% and head in 2.9%. This retrospective study is the first to identify a collective of PG patients with the highest data quality using the PARACELSUS score. It could be shown that PG can basically occur on the entire integument. However, the predilection sites of PG, which have now been reliably identified for the first time, are the lower legs and in particular the extensor sides.
To evaluate the relationship among dysnatraemia at hospital presentation and duration of admission, risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and all-cause mortality and to assess the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of hyponatraemia in patients with COVID-19. Our hypothesis is that both hyponatraemia and hypernatraemia at presentation are associated with adverse outcomes.
Observational study.
Secondary care; 11 Dutch hospitals (2 university and 9 general hospitals).
An analysis was performed within the retrospective multicentre cohort study COVIDPredict. 7811 patients were included (60% men, 40% women) between 24 February 2020 and 9 August 2022. Patients who were ≥18 years with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 or CT with COVID-19 reporting and data system score≥4 and alternative diagnosis were included. Patients were excluded when serum sodium levels at presentation were not registered in the database or when they had been transferred from another participating hospital.
We studied demographics, medical history, symptoms and outcomes. Patients were stratified according to serum sodium concentration and urinary sodium excretion.
Hyponatraemia was present in 2677 (34.2%) patients and hypernatraemia in 126 (1.6%) patients. Patients with hyponatraemia presented more frequently with diarrhoea, lower blood pressure and tachycardia. Hyponatraemia was, despite a higher risk for ICU admission (OR 1.27 (1.11–1.46; p
Hypernatraemia at presentation was associated with adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Hypovolaemic hyponatraemia was found to be the most common aetiology of hyponatraemia. Hyponatraemia of unknown aetiology was associated with a higher risk for ICU admission and intubation and longer duration of admission.
La formación de los estudiantes en la educación superior y específicamente en la licen-
ciatura en enfermería ha sido objeto de estudio por parte de los profesores. Es parte de la práctica
de enfermería respetar el proceso de toma de decisiones del estudiante y brindarle el derecho a la
información, promoviendo la adquisición de competencias que le permitan tomar decisiones res-
ponsables para su futuro. El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer la perspectiva de los estu-
diantes de enfermería, en cuanto a su participación en la formación pedagógica sobre los síntomas
musculoesqueléticos. Sé realizó un estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo mediante el mé-
todo de grupos focales con seis estudiantes de enfermería. El análisis cualitativo se realizó según
Bardin y el mapa mental se realizó con el software FreeMind®.Los estudiantes revelaron satisfac-
ción con el interés real en su aprendizaje con la reflexión sobre la adquisición de habilidades en
cuanto al conocimiento sobre los síntomas musculoesqueléticos y la necesidad del pensamiento crí-
tico en la profesión de enfermería.
FreshRSS 