TheScientificWorldJournal
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2014
Clinical TrialModulation of physical activity to optimize pain sensation following an intra-articular corticosteroid injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Intra-articular corticosteroid injection is often used to relieve pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. This study aims to assess the impact after an intra-articular corticosteroid injection treatment on objective and subjective measurement of physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients. ⋯ The beneficial effects after the intra-articular corticosteroid injection are visible in the duration and intensity of the knee osteoarthritis patients' daily physical activity. However, these effects declined gradually two weeks after injection. Modulating the intensity and duration of physical activity would allow patients to optimize pain sensation over a longer period following an intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Trial Registration. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials: NCT02049879.
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2014
Prognostic value of C-reactive protein, leukocytes, and vitamin d in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Inflammatory biomarkers predict mortality and hospitalisation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yet, it remains uncertain if biomarkers in addition to reflecting disease severity add new prognostic information on severe COPD. We investigated if leukocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and vitamin D were independent predictors of mortality and hospitalisation after adjusting for disease severity with an integrative index, the i-BODE index. ⋯ Only leukocyte count was significantly associated with hospitalisation. Vitamin D was neither associated with mortality nor hospitalisation. Leukocytes and CRP add little information on prognosis and vitamin D does not seem to be a useful biomarker in severe COPD in a clinical setting.
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2014
Prevalence and imaging characteristics of palatine tonsilloliths detected by CT in 2,873 consecutive patients.
Tonsilloliths are calcified structures that develop in tonsillar crypts. They are commonly detected in daily clinical practice. The prevalence of tonsilloliths was 16 to 24% in previous reports, but it is inconsistent with clinical experience. The aim of this study is to clarify the prevalence, number, and size distribution of tonsilloliths using computed tomography (CT) in a relatively large number of patients. ⋯ As palatine tonsilloliths are common conditions, screenings for tonsilloliths during the diagnosis of soft tissue calcifications should be included in routine diagnostic imaging.
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2014
ReviewMonitoring of the adult patient on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) provides mechanical support to the patient with cardiac or cardiopulmonary failure. This paper reviews the physiology of VA ECMO including the determinants of ECMO flow and gas exchange. The efficacy of this therapy may be determined by assessing patient hemodynamics and device flow, overall gas exchange support, markers of adequate oxygen delivery, and pulsatility of the arterial blood pressure waveform.
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyThe effect of local injections of bupivacaine plus ketamine, bupivacaine alone, and placebo on reducing postoperative anal fistula pain: a randomized clinical trial.
This study aimed to compare the effects of different local anesthetic solutions on postoperative pain of anal surgery in adult patients. ⋯ Local anesthesia (1 mL of ketamine plus 2 mL of bupivacaine 0.5% or 1 mL of normal saline plus 2 mL of bupivacaine 0.5%) combined with spinal anesthesia reduces postoperative pain and leads to greater comfort in recovering patients.