Articles: chronic.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Modelling the Predictive Value of Pain Intensity on Costs and Resources Utilization in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathic Pain.
The aim of the present analysis was to model the association and predictive value of pain intensity on cost and resource utilization in patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) treated in routine clinical practice settings in Spain. ⋯ Pain intensity predicts the health care and non-health care resource utilization, and costs related to chronic PNP. Management of patients with drugs associated with a higher reduction of pain intensity may have a greater impact on the economic burden of that condition.
-
Journal of neurology · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyIntravenous immunoglobulin for chronic residual peripheral neuropathy in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome): a multicenter, double-blind trial.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome, frequently affects the peripheral nervous system. We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, three-arm treatment period, randomized, pre-post trial to assess the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) administration for residual peripheral neuropathy in patients with EGPA that is in remission, indicated by laboratory indices. Twenty-three patients were randomly assigned into three groups, in which the timing of IVIg and placebo administration was different. ⋯ The results over time suggested that this effect continued until the last assessment was done 8 weeks later. The number of muscles with manual muscle testing scores of three or less (p = 0.004) and the neuropathic pain scores represented by the visual analogue scale (p = 0.005) also improved significantly 2 weeks after IVIg administration. This study indicates that IVIg treatment for EGPA patients with residual peripheral neuropathy should be considered even when laboratory indices suggest remission of the disease.
-
Critical care medicine · Feb 2015
Multicenter StudyComparison of the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness Score and the Glasgow Coma Scale in Predicting Mortality in Critically Ill Patients.
Impaired consciousness has been incorporated in prediction models that are used in the ICU. The Glasgow Coma Scale has value but is incomplete and cannot be assessed in intubated patients accurately. The Full Outline of UnResponsiveness score may be a better predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. ⋯ The Full Outline of UnResponsiveness score might be a better prognostic tool of ICU mortality than the Glasgow Coma Scale in critically ill patients, most likely a result of incorporating brainstem reflexes and respiration into the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness score.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Body temperature and mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Little is known about the relationship between body temperature and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A better understanding of this relationship may provide evidence for fever suppression or warming interventions, which are commonly applied in practice. ⋯ Early in ARDS, fever is associated with improved survival rates. Fever in the acute phase response to lung injury and its relationship to recovery may be an important factor in determining patients' outcome and warrants further study.
-
ICUs are increasingly staffed with nurse practitioners/physician assistants (NPs/PAs), but it is unclear how NPs/PAs influence quality of care. We examined the association between NP/PA staffing and in-hospital mortality for patients in the ICU. ⋯ NPs/PAs appear to be a safe adjunct to the ICU team. The findings support NP/PA management of critically ill patients.