Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2012
Review[Appropriate and inappropriate use of indwelling urinary catheters].
Many hospitalized patients receive a urinary catheter during their stay. In 21-54% of patients, however, there is no appropriate indication for this. The most significant complication caused by the use of urinary catheters is the development of a urinary tract infection (UTI), one of the most common nosocomial infections. ⋯ The duration of the presence of a catheter is the major risk factor for catheter-associated UTI. Reducing the number of inappropriate catheterisations is an effective way of preventing catheter-related UTIs. Inappropriate use of indwelling urinary catheters can be reduced by maintaining strict guidelines on justifiable indications for inserting a urinary catheter, verifying daily whether the indication still applies, and by timely removal of the catheter when it is not or no longer needed.
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The new global strategy to achieve long-term malaria eradication is based on rapid treatment of individual malaria patients and blocking the spread of Plasmodium parasites in the population. In a number of countries increased funding combined with more effective control measures have resulted in a substantial decline in the incidence of malaria and in the resulting morbidity and mortality. Increasing resistance of Anopheles mosquitoes to insecticides (pyrethroids and DDT), and reduced sensitivity of Plasmodium parasites to various antimalarials increase the need for the development of new vector control strategies and medicines. Vaccine development efforts have been speeding up and a first vaccine is expected within three years.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2012
Multicenter Study[Breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer: still much to be gained].
To conduct qualitative research into breast-conserving surgery for palpable and non-palpable breast tumours and the various methods of excising these, measured by the volume exised and surgical radicality. ⋯ Breast-conserving surgery is associated with an average of a 2 to 4-fold removal of excessive tissue. Nevertheless, 1 out of 5 excisions are not radical. Ultrasound-guided surgery for non-palpable breast cancer is the most effective method for achieving radical excision. A multicentre, prospective, randomised trial has been started to assess whether ultrasound-guided lumpectomy for palpable breast cancer can lead to optimisation of the excision volume and radicality.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2012
Case Reports[Unexplained anaemia in men: be aware of hypogonadism].
Unexplained anaemia is not uncommon. We present two male patients suffering from longstanding mild anaemia, for which no cause could be found. We performed an extensive analysis, but there were no signs of malignant disease, chronic inflammation, renal failure, hypothyroidism, myelodysplastic syndrome, haemolysis or nutritional deficiencies. ⋯ After exclusion of prostate carcinoma, testosterone substitution therapy was started in both patients, which improved their haematocrits and sexual and general well-being substantially. Testosterone exerts anabolic effects in multiple organ systems; in bone marrow it potentiates the stimulatory effect of erythropoietin on erythropoiesis. Primary hypogonadism frequently occurs in elderly patients, while secondary hypogonadism is frequently seen in middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2012
Case Reports[Pulmonary toxicity resulting from the use of nitrofurantoin].
Acute pulmonary syndrome is an uncommon but severe adverse reaction to nitrofurantoin. This syndrome is seldom recognised at the moment of presentation, which potentially subjects patients to unnecessary treatment and delays in the discontinuation of nitrofurantoin. ⋯ The diagnosis of acute pulmonary syndrome should be considered in patients presenting with fever, dyspnoea, dry cough, leukocytosis (typically with eosinophilia) and a bilateral interstitial pattern visible on the chest X-ray after having started nitrofurantoin. The prognosis is excellent if the condition is recognised early and the exposure to nitrofurantoin is discontinued.