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Addressing Pediatric Obesity in Ambulatory Care: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
Lenders, CM, Manders, AJ, Perdomo, JE, Ireland, KA, Barlow, SE
Current obesity reports. 2016;(2):214-40
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Abstract
Since the "2007 summary report of child and adolescent overweight and obesity treatment" published by Barlow, many obesity intervention studies have been conducted in pediatric ambulatory care. Although several meta-analyses have been published in the interim, many studies were excluded because of the focus and criteria of these meta-analyses. Therefore, the primary goal of this article was to identify randomized case-control trials conducted in the primary care setting and to report on treatment approaches, challenges, and successes. We have developed four themes for our discussion and provide a brief summary of our findings. Finally, we identified major gaps and potential solutions and describe several urgent key action items.
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Association between Air Pollutants and Asthma Emergency Room Visits and Hospital Admissions in Time Series Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Zheng, XY, Ding, H, Jiang, LN, Chen, SW, Zheng, JP, Qiu, M, Zhou, YX, Chen, Q, Guan, WJ
PloS one. 2015;(9):e0138146
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution constitutes a significant stimulus of asthma exacerbations; however, the impacts of exposure to major air pollutants on asthma-related hospital admissions and emergency room visits (ERVs) have not been fully determined. OBJECTIVE We sought to quantify the associations between short-term exposure to air pollutants [ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10) and PM2.5] and the asthma-related emergency room visits (ERV) and hospitalizations. METHODS Systematic computerized searches without language limitation were performed. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were estimated using the random-effect models. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were also performed. RESULTS After screening of 246 studies, 87 were included in our analyses. Air pollutants were associated with significantly increased risks of asthma ERVs and hospitalizations [O3: RR(95%CI), 1.009 (1.006, 1.011); I2 = 87.8%, population-attributable fraction (PAF) (95%CI): 0.8 (0.6, 1.1); CO: RR(95%CI), 1.045 (1.029, 1.061); I2 = 85.7%, PAF (95%CI): 4.3 (2.8, 5.7); NO2: RR(95%CI), 1.018 (1.014, 1.022); I2 = 87.6%, PAF (95%CI): 1.8 (1.4, 2.2); SO2: RR(95%CI), 1.011 (1.007, 1.015); I2 = 77.1%, PAF (95%CI): 1.1 (0.7, 1.5); PM10: RR(95%CI), 1.010 (1.008, 1.013); I2 = 69.1%, PAF (95%CI): 1.1 (0.8, 1.3); PM2.5: RR(95%CI), 1.023 (1.015, 1.031); I2 = 82.8%, PAF (95%CI): 2.3 (1.5, 3.1)]. Sensitivity analyses yielded compatible findings as compared with the overall analyses without publication bias. Stronger associations were found in hospitalized males, children and elderly patients in warm seasons with lag of 2 days or greater. CONCLUSION Short-term exposures to air pollutants account for increased risks of asthma-related ERVs and hospitalizations that constitute a considerable healthcare utilization and socioeconomic burden.
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Common questions about outpatient care of premature infants.
Gauer, RL, Burket, J, Horowitz, E
American family physician. 2014;(4):244-51
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Abstract
Preterm births (deliveries before 37 weeks' gestation) comprise 12% of all U.S. births and are responsible for onethird of all infant deaths. Neonatal medical advances have increased survival, and primary care physicians often care for infants who were in the neonatal intensive care unit after birth. Functions of the primary care physician include coordination of medical and social services, nutritional surveillance, and managing conditions associated with prematurity. Parental guidance and encouragement are often necessary to ensure appropriate feeding and infant weight gain. Enriched formula and nutrient fortifiers are used for infants with extrauterine growth restriction. Iron supplementation is recommended for breastfed infants, and iron-fortified formula for formula-fed infants. Screening for iron deficiency anemia in preterm infants should occur at four months of age and at nine to 12 months of age. Gastroesophageal reflux is best treated with nonpharmacologic options because medications provide no long-term benefits. Neurodevelopmental delay occurs in up to 50% of preterm infants. Developmental screening should be performed at every well-child visit. If developmental delay is suspected, more formalized testing may be required with appropriate referral. To prevent complications from respiratory syncytial virus infection, palivizumab is recommended in the first year of life during the respiratory syncytial virus season for all infants born before 29 weeks' gestation and for infants born between 29 and 32 weeks' gestation who have chronic lung disease. Most preterm infants have minimal longterm sequelae.
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Sight-threatening diabetic eye disease: an update and review of the literature.
Symes, RJ, Liew, G, Tufail, A
The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners. 2014;(627):e678-80
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Simtomax, a novel point of care test for coeliac disease.
Mooney, PD, Kurien, M, Sanders, DS
Expert opinion on medical diagnostics. 2013;(6):645-51
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition resulting from an abnormal reaction to dietary gluten leading to small bowel villous atrophy. International prevalence studies suggest that coeliac disease affects 1% of the adult population. However, despite its high prevalence, large numbers of patients go undiagnosed. One method of increasing detection rates would be to introduce a quick screening test in the form of a finger-prick blood test. AREAS COVERED There are currently four available point-of-care tests (POCTs) available for use by health professionals. This diagnostic evaluation will review the evidence for the use of POCTs in coeliac disease including Simtomax a novel test for deamidated gliadin peptides and total IgA level. EXPERT OPINION An accurate POCT has the potential to increase the rates of diagnosis of coeliac disease if used effectively as part of a case finding approach in primary or secondary care. Evidence for the use of Simtomax is currently fairly limited only drawing comparison with laboratory serology rather than the gold standard of histology and it has only been trialled in high-risk populations. However, results to date are encouraging and further research into this area is required.
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Outpatient therapeutic nuclear oncology.
Turner, JH
Annals of nuclear medicine. 2012;(4):289-97
Abstract
In the beginning, nuclear medicine was radionuclide therapy, which has evolved into molecular tumour-targeted control of metastatic cancer. Safe, efficacious, clinical practice of therapeutic nuclear oncology may now be based upon accurate personalised dosimetry by quantitative gamma SPECT/CT imaging to prescribe tumoricidal activities without critical organ toxicity. Preferred therapy radionuclides possess gamma emission of modest energy and abundance to enable quantitative SPECT/CT imaging for calculation of the beta therapy dosimetry, without radiation exposure risk to hospital personnel, carers, family or members of the public. The safety of outpatient radiopharmaceutical therapy of cancer with Iodine-131, Samarium-153, Holmium-166, Rhenium-186, Rhenium-188, Lutetium-177 and Indium-111 is reviewed. Measured activity release rates and radiation exposure to carers and the public are all within recommendations and guidelines of international regulatory agencies and, when permitted by local regulatory authorities allow cost-effective, safe, outpatient radionuclide therapy of cancer without isolation in hospital.
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Vitamin D deficiency: a paediatric orthopaedic perspective.
Clarke, NM, Page, JE
Current opinion in pediatrics. 2012;(1):46-9
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW At the turn of the last century, rickets (vitamin D deficiency) was one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases of the paediatric population presenting to physicians. Today, the most common referral pathway for these patients ends in a paediatric orthopaedic outpatient clinic. Vitamin D deficiency is a clinical entity that can affect all children and should be looked for in all children with musculoskeletal symptoms. RECENT FINDINGS The child at risk of rickets is now white, breastfed, protected from the sun and obese. Vitamin D deficiency can present as atypical muscular pain, pathological fractures or slipped upper femoral epiphysis. Obesity is linked with lower vitamin D levels; however, in the paediatric population, this does not necessarily equal clinical disorder. Vitamin D supplements can be used to reduce the risk of pathological fractures in the cerebral palsy child. It should also form part of the differential diagnosis in the work-up of nonaccidental injuries. Children with a low vitamin D present with a higher incidence of fractures from normal activities. Vitamin D levels need to be assessed before any form of orthopaedic surgery, as it can affect growth, both in the diaphysis of the bone and in the growth plate. SUMMARY Vitamin D levels are a key element in the successful practice of paediatric orthopaedics. It is not just the possible cause of disorder presenting to the clinician but also extremely important in ensuring the successful postoperative recovery of the patient.
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Definition and outpatient management of the very low-birth-weight infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Groothuis, JR, Makari, D
Advances in therapy. 2012;(4):297-311
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Abstract
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), also known as chronic lung disease of prematurity, is the major cause of pulmonary disease in infants. The pathophysiology and management of BPD have evolved over the past four decades as improved neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) modalities have increased survival rates. The likelihood for developing BPD increases with the degree of prematurity and reaches 25-35% in very low-birth-weight and extremely low-birth-weight infants. BPD affects many organ systems, and infants with BPD are at increased risk for rehospitalization and numerous complications following NICU discharge. The management of BPD and medically related problems, particularly during the first 2 years of life, remains a continuing challenge for parents and healthcare providers. It is important that a multidisciplinary team consisting of the neonatologist/attending physician, primary care physician, and other specialized support staff work in concert and meet regularly to provide continuity of care and accurate patient assessments.
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Management of hypertension in the outpatient setting.
Sica, DA
Primary care. 2008;(3):451-73, vi
Abstract
The treatment of hypertension on an outpatient basis should be approached in a systematic manner. The diagnosis of hypertension should always be verified first before treatment is initiated and, where indicated, a workup should be done. Lifestyle modifications should be considered in all patients with hypertension. Blood pressure can be brought to goal in the majority of patients if antihypertensive medications are correctly dosed or combined. As blood pressure is brought to goal in the patient with hypertension, ongoing attention should be directed to long-term adherence to therapy.
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Anticoagulation in ambulatory care: an evidence-based review of the literature.
Venkatachalam, V, D'Attilio, K, Lewis, A, Acevedo, M
Professional case management. 2007;(2):106-11
Abstract
UNLABELLED PURPOSE OF THE MANUSCRIPT Anticoagulation is warranted for the treatment of various disorders including cardiac, vascular, and postsurgical causes. Many centers have nurse case managers to coordinate care for patients on anticoagulation. This increases the demand for specific guidelines to assist nurse case managers to ensure quality of care. This review will address guidelines for nurse case managers and providers regarding initiating anticoagulation treatment and monitoring prothrombin time and international normalized ratio. Information will also be provided regarding when the nurse case manager should notify the providers to establish target international normalized ratio. This review will also provide educational tools to serve as standards for patient teaching, including drug and food interactions. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S): This article applies to adult ambulatory practice that includes primary care, cardiology, and vascular and surgical settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE The complexity of managing anticoagulation in ambulatory practice warrants case management. The nurse case manager will establish a rapport with patients to improve compliance, providing patient education about diet, dosages, and drug interactions to reduce medication errors and bleeding complications. This review on anticoagulation management will assist nurse case managers and providers to provide better quality of care.