Tested communication strategies for providing information to patients in medical consultations: A scoping review and quality assessment of the literature

ObjectivesTo systematize the scientific knowledge of empirically tested strategies for verbally providing medical information in patient-physician consultations.MethodsA scoping review searching for terms related to physician, information, oral communication, and controlled study. Four pairs of reviewers screened articles. For each selected study, we assessed the quality and summarized aspects on participants, study, intervention, and outcomes. Information provision strategies were inductively classified by types and main categories.ResultsAfter screening 9422 articles, 39 were included. The methodological quality was moderate. We identified four differently used categories of strategies for providing information: cognitive aid (n = 13), persuasive (n = 8), relationship- (n = 3), and objectivity-oriented strategies (n = 4); plus, one “mixed” category (n = 11). Strategies were rarely theoretically derived.ConclusionsCurrent research of tested strategies for verbally providing medical information is marked by great heterogeneity in methods and outcomes, and lack of theory-driven approaches. The list of strategies could be used to analyse real life communication.Practice implicationsFindings may aid the harmonization of future efforts to develop empirically-based information provision strategies to be used in clinical and teaching settings.     

Low molecular weight heparin as an adjunct to thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction: the FATIMA study

Objective—To investigate the feasibility of fixed dose, weight adjusted subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), with monitoring of anti-Xa levels and assessment of coronary patency rates after three to five days, thereby giving an initial indication of its safety and efficacy.
Design—In 30 patients with acute myocardial infarction, LMWH (nadroparine) was given as a body weight adjusted intravenous bolus with thrombolysis (rt-PA infusion) and in weight adjusted subcutaneous doses at six hours, and every 12 hours thereafter for 72 hours. The target range was defined prospectively as 0.35-0.70 anti-factor Xa activity (aXa) units. The aXa level was measured every six hours. Coronary angiography was performed in all patients within five days after the start of thrombolytic treatment to determine patency (TIMI 2 and 3 flow) of the infarct related artery.
Results—The mean (SEM) aXa level over 72 hours was 0.52 (0.08) U/ml; from 12 hours onwards 88% of all aXa measurements were within the target range. At angiography, a patent infarct related artery was present in 24 of the 30 patients. No major bleeding complications occurred, though minor bleeding complications were observed in two patients.
Conclusions—This small study indicates that LMWH is feasible as an adjunct to thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The aXa levels were within the target range and patency rates at three to five days were around 80%, with no major bleeding complications.

Keywords: acute myocardial infarction;  thrombolysis;  low molecular weight heparin;  FATIMA study     

A long-term follow-up study on hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The long-term hepatic complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic area are unknown. We examined the serological and liver-related outcome of 803 consecutive patients who received allogeneic HSCTs, with a median follow-up period of 83 months (range, 0.5-155 months). Late HBV-related hepatitis occurred in 2 of the 721 hepatitis B surface antigen-negative (HBsAg-) recipients compared with 16 of the 82 HBsAg+ recipients after HSCT (0.3% vs 19.5%; P < .001 by log-rank). Liver cirrhosis developed in 8 of the 82 HBsAg+ recipients compared with none of the 721 HBsAg- recipients (9.8% vs 0%; P < .001 by log-rank). Twenty of the 31 (64.5%) HBsAg+ recipients of hematopoietic stem cells from donors with natural immunity to HBV had sustained serologic clearance of HBsAg after HSCT. Eight of the 62 recipients without sustained HBsAg clearance compared with none of the 20 recipients with sustained HBsAg clearance developed liver cirrhosis (12.9% vs 0%; P = .02 by log-rank). Our study showed that long-term hepatic complications occur in a significant proportion of HBsAg+ patients after HSCT and the incidence of liver cirrhosis is reduced in those with sustained serologic clearance of HBsAg after HSCT.     

Histopathology of the conduction system in the sudden infant death syndrome.

The cause of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, crib death, or cot death) is unknown. Current hypotheses include lability of heart rate and/or rhythm as a pathogenetic factor. The conduction system of 50 infants coming to autopsy were examined by serial sections; the infants were from newborn to two years of age. Twenty-six were SIDS deaths and 24 were explained deaths (ED). The frequency of histologic abnormalities of the specialized tissue was almost identical in both groups of infants. Hemorrhage in or around different parts of the conduction system was present in 27% SIDS and 29% ED. There was no evidence of cell death or degeneration of conduction fibers, nor obstructive lesions of the atrioventricular (A-V) arteries. Apparent moulding of A-V node and His bundle was a universal finding in both SIDS and ED, and consisted of irregular interdigitation of A-V node and His bundle fibers with the myxoid central fibrous body (CFB). Isolated bundles of conduction fibers residing in CFB and membranous ventricular septum were seen in two SIDS, but no direct contact between these fibers and the working myocardium could be identified in serial sections in either case. Without corroborating antemortem electrophysiologic data, the functional significance of morphologic findings in the conduction system of SIDS must remain conjectural.     

Infarct size estimation from serial CK MB determinations: peak activity and predictability.

In 198 patients with acute myocardial infarction serial measurements of plasma creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK MB) were performed at four hour intervals. In every patient, maximal CK MB activity (peak activity) was compared with calculated total release per litre plasma. In 28 patients (group 1) sufficient plasma samples were available for calculation of the apparent first order inactivation constant kd. Mean apparent kd in group 1 patients was 0 . 085 +/- 0 . 018 h-1 (mean +/- SD). Total release in group 1 was calculated with individual apparent kd values (Q) and with the mean kd value (Q*). In the remaining 170 patients (group 2), Q* only was calculated. A linear relation between peak activity P and total release (both Q and Q*) was found, extending over the whole range of CK MB peak activities that are routinely observed (4-216 U/l). It was immaterial whether a one or a two compartment model was used: both yielded a close linear relation. Though the mean ratio between Q* and peak activity depends on the value of kd chosen for calculation of total release (the ratio increasing with increasing kd), linearity between peak activity and Q* was found for any value of kd up to 0 . 4 h-1. In group 1, shapes of calculated CK MB release curves Q*(t), expressed relative to maximal release Q(40), were sufficiently similar so as to be superimposable; the section of the release curves extending from 12 hours before until two hours after peak time could be tentatively described by a linear time course with a slope of 4 . 2 +/- 0 . 5% per hour (mean +/- SD). We conclude that peak activity of CK MB is a reliable estimate of cumulative CK MB release and may be clinically more practicable than calculation of Q(40). Both the similarity and the large apparently linear section of the calculated enzyme release curves possibly permit early prediction of Q(40), with acceptable precision.     

Cardiovascular risk factors and hearing loss: The HUNT study

Objective: The purpose of the present paper was to examine the association between prospectively and cross-sectionally assessed cardiovascular risk factors and hearing loss. Design: Hearing was assessed by pure-tone average thresholds at low (0.25–0.5 kHz), middle (1–2 kHz), and high (3–8 kHz) frequencies. Self-reported or measured cardiovascular risk factors were assessed both 11 years before and simultaneously with the audiometric assessment. Cardiovascular risk factors were smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, waist circumference, body mass index, resting heart rate, blood pressure, triglycerides, total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and diabetes. Study sample: A population-based cohort of 31 547 subjects. Results: After adjustment for age, sex, level of education, income, recurrent ear infections, and noise exposure, risk factors associated with poorer hearing sensitivity were smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, resting heart rate, and waist circumference. Smoking was only associated with hearing loss at high frequencies. The effects were very small, in combination explaining only 0.2–0.4% of the variance in addition to the component explained by age and the other cofactors. Conclusion: This cohort study indicates that, although many cardiovascular risk factors are associated with hearing loss, the effects are small and of doubtful clinical relevance.     

显微手术治疗脑胶质瘤的临床疗效探讨

目的对显微手术治疗脑胶质瘤的临床疗效及复发影响因素进行探讨。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2013年1月运用显微手术治疗96例脑胶质瘤患者的临床资料,分析其手术疗效和复发影响因素。结果所选患者使用显微外科手术肿瘤全切74例,占77.1%,次全切19例,占19.8%,部分切除3例,占3.1%;出院时恢复良好57例(59.4%),基本好转26例(27.1%),显效8例(8.3%),进步5例(5.2%),无1例死亡;随访1~3年,所有患者获得随访,恢复正常者58例,占60.4%,38例复发,其中19例再次手术,死亡3例(非手术死亡),15例拒绝再次手术,死亡6例;低级别胶质瘤复发的发生率为15.4%,明显低于高级别胶质瘤的68.2%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);年龄小于等于40岁的发生率为29.2%,明显低于大于40岁的50%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);全切组的复发发生率为16.2%,明显低于次全切、部分切除的72.7%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论显微手术可明显提高肿瘤全切率,使手术疗效大大提高,从而提高生活质量,降低复发率及病死率;且术后的复发率与肿瘤组织分型、年龄、手术方式有关。     

造影剂剂量对冠心病患者PCI术后肾功能的影响

目的:探讨冠状动脉介入术(PCI)术中造影剂剂量对冠心病患者肾功能的影响.方法:选择行冠状动脉造影(CAG)和(或)PCI的患者265例,分为造影剂低剂量组(＜150 mL)和高剂量组(＞150 mL),比较两组患者注射造影剂前后肾小球滤过率差值(△GFR)及影响△GFR的因素,分析造影剂剂量与△GFR的相关性;根据患者基础GFR的不同分为2组(＞90 mL/min组及60 mL/min～90 mL/min组),分析造影剂剂量对不同基础GFR患者△GFR的影响.结果:多因素线性回归分析显示低密度脂蛋白对△GFR有影响(P＜0.05),造影剂剂量对△GFR作用显著(P＜0.01);造影剂用量与△GFR相关系数r=0.32(P ＜0.05),造影剂剂量与GFR＞90 mL/min组、GFR 60 mL/min ～ 90 mL/min组△GFR的秩相关系数分别为0.312和0.334(P ＜0.05).结论:造影剂剂量与△GFR间具有正相关关系,基础GFR越小,造影剂对GFR影响越大.     

足月新生儿高胆红素血症对甲状腺功能影响的临床研究

目的观察不同程度高胆红素血症的足月新生儿甲状腺激素水平,探讨高胆红素血症对足月新生儿甲状腺功能的影响。方法选择新生儿高胆红素血症的患儿100例为观察组,分为3组(轻度30例,中度40例,重度30例)。选用产科正常分娩30例健康足月新生儿为对照组。采用电化学免疫分析法,进行血清甲状腺功能即T3、FT3、T4、FT4、TSH、TG测定。结果重度组T3、FT3、T4、FT4低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,TSH、TG与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);轻度、中度组T3、FT3低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),T4、FT4、TSH、TG与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。重度组T3、FT3低于轻度、中度组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),T4、FT4、TSH、TG比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。高胆患儿的血清T3、FT3水平与TBIL水平呈负相关性(P<0.05)。结论在患高胆红素血症的足月新生儿中,重度高胆红素血症可造成新生儿甲状腺功能损害,T3、FT3可作为甲状腺功能早期损害的检测指标,应对高胆患儿进行甲状腺功能检查。