Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2021
Validity, reliability, and application of the electronic version of a chronic kidney disease patient awareness questionnaire: a pilot study.
A questionnaire which provides desirable reliability and validity has been previously developed to assess the disease awareness of diagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, conventional paper questionnaires often have disadvantages, including recall bias. To substantially improve this, we therefore aimed to explore the feasibility of developing a smartphone-based electronic version (e-version) based upon its original paper version and subsequently tested its validity, reliability, and applicability. ⋯ The e-version is reliable but was not shown to be a valid approach. Audiences with higher education levels and less advanced disease condition may prefer to respond to the e-version. Adaptation of this e-questionnaire, from its original paper version, may not be a direct transition and meticulous modifications may be required during the transition process.
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Trephine bone marrow biopsy (BMB) in internal medicine has only been studied in fever of unknown origin and inflammation of unknown origin. The aim was to assess BMB diagnostic yield according to main indications and patient characteristics in internal medicine. Quality of BMB and contribution of bone marrow aspiration (BMA) to BMB were also analyzed. ⋯ Cytopenia(s), blood cythemias and monoclonal gammopathy are indications with the highest diagnostic yield. Concomitant BMA and IHC analysis should be systematically performed to increase BMB diagnostic yield in internal medicine.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2021
Exploring patient safety culture in the community pharmacy setting: A national cross-sectional study.
The community pharmacy is one setting that plays a crucial role in patient safety. To develop tailored patient safety improvement programs in this setting, it is essential to know the perspectives of the pharmacies' staffs on patient safety. Thus, in this study, we assessed patient-safety culture in the community pharmacy setting in Saudi Arabia. ⋯ The study revealed that all dimensions are scope for further improvement, and critical consideration ought to be given to the areas of weakness, for the most part in the dimension of Staffing, Work Pressure, and Pace.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2021
Pregabalin for neuropathic pain in primary care settings: recommendations for dosing and titration.
Pregabalin is one of the first-line treatments approved for the management of neuropathic pain (NeP). While many patients benefit from treatment with pregabalin, they are often treated with suboptimal doses, possibly due to unfamiliarity around prescribing the drug and/or side effects that can occur with up-titration. This narrative review discusses key aspects of initiating, titrating, and managing patients prescribed pregabalin therapy, and addresses concerns around driving and the potential for abuse, as well as when to seek specialist opinion. ⋯ Fully engaging patients in order for them to understand the expected timeline for efficacy and side effects (including their resolution), can also help determine the optimal titration tempo for each individual patient. The 'low and slow' approach also recognizes that patients with NeP are heterogeneous in terms of their optimal therapeutic dose of pregabalin. Hence, it is recommended that general practitioners closely monitor patients and up-titrate according to pain relief and side effects to limit suboptimal dosing or premature discontinuation.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2021
Case ReportsNon-surgical treatment for hematocele in the bladder associated with ascites puncture in a patient with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: A case report.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a well-known complication induced by the application of LH or GnRH analogs in the process of assisted reproduction controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Ascites puncture is one of the treatments for severe OHSS. In the vast majority of circumstances, transvaginal (TV) ascites puncture under B ultrasound guidance is safe; however, bladder injury is a rare complication that may occur during the puncture process. ⋯ Ultrasonographic examination revealed a 8.33 × 4.88 cm hematocele in the bladder; it was thought to have been caused by blood clot formation and concurrent urinary retention resulting from the puncture needle-induced bladder injury during TV puncture for ascites aspiration. The patient recovered with conservative treatment. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that avoidance of OHSS is necessary to avoid complications such as bladder damage from treatment of ascites.