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Pattern and appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for upper respiratory tract infections in primary care paediatric patients.
Bianco, A, Licata, F, Nobile, CG, Napolitano, F, Pavia, M
International journal of antimicrobial agents. 2022;(1):106469
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the pattern of antibiotic prescriptions for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children seen by primary care paediatricians (PCPs). METHODS Data were collected from face-to-face interviews administered to a sample of parents of outpatient children aged 0-14 years in two regions in Southern Italy. To be eligible, children had to be diagnosed with sinusitis, pharyngotonsillitis, otitis media, bronchitis, influenza or a common cold. The presence of an indication of antibiotic therapy was evaluated according to national and international guidelines. RESULTS An antibiotic prescription was indicated in 57 (10.1%) of the sampled patients, of whom 33.3% did not receive an antibiotic prescription; among the 508 patients for whom an antibiotic prescription was not indicated, 27.4% received a prescription. Of all PCP consultations, 72% were appropriate (an antibiotic was prescribed when indicated and not prescribed when not indicated), whilst an antibiotic prescription not indicated by guidelines was given to 24.6% of the participants, and 3.4% of the sample did not receive an antibiotic prescription when indicated. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. A rapid microbiological examination was performed in two patients. CONCLUSIONS The study findings highlight a high rate of sub-optimal antibiotic therapeutic profile. Over-prescription of antibiotic therapy and the use of broad-spectrum molecules are widespread in children with URTIs. Antibiotic under-prescription, which may deprive paediatric patients of an effective treatment when indicated, also occurs.
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Delayed referral is common even when new-onset diabetes is suspected in children. A Swedish prospective observational study of diabetic ketoacidosis at onset of Type 1 diabetes.
Wersäll, JH, Adolfsson, P, Forsander, G, Ricksten, SE, Hanas, R
Pediatric diabetes. 2021;(6):900-908
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Delayed treatment for new-onset diabetes Type 1 (T1D) can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with potentially devastating consequences. This prospective observational study aimed to characterize pediatric patients with DKA at hospital admission, regarding parental awareness of diabetes-related symptoms and delayed referrals from primary health care providers to pediatric emergency wards. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients 0-18 years admitted to hospital with new-onset T1D and DKA between 2015 and 2017 were invited to participate. Questionnaires were filled out separately by the caregivers and by the attending hospital staff. Data from the Swedish National Diabetes Registry (SWEDIABKIDS) were used for comparison. Delayed referral was defined as a primary healthcare contact due to diabetes-related symptoms 0-4 weeks before hospital admission without immediate referral, or registered elevated glucose levels at primary healthcare centers without immediate referral. RESULTS The study included 237 patients, among which parental suspicion of new-onset diabetes before healthcare contacts was reported in 39%. Parental suspicion of diabetes was associated with higher pH values at diagnosis. Patients in contact with primary health care providers before hospital admission had a delayed referral in 43% of the cases. Delayed referral was associated with lower pH values at hospital admission. Symptoms leading to primary healthcare contacts were similar regardless of whether delay occurred or not. CONCLUSIONS Parental suspicion of diabetes was associated with milder DKA at hospital admission. Delayed referral was seen in a considerable proportion of children with primary healthcare contacts for symptoms associated with diabetes. Increased awareness of diabetes symptoms is of paramount importance.
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Screening for diabetic retinopathy with different levels of financial incentive in a randomized controlled trial.
Lian, JX, McGhee, SM, So, C, Kwong, ASK, Sum, R, Tsui, WWS, Chao, DVK, Chan, JCH
Journal of diabetes investigation. 2021;(9):1632-1641
Abstract
AIMS/INTRODUCTION To examine the impact of different levels of financial incentive in terms of fee subsidization on diabetic retinopathy screening in the private primary care setting in Hong Kong. MATERIALS AND METHODS All general practitioners working in the private sector and registered in two electronic public databases were invited to participate. Consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus were then recruited by the participating practitioners. The recruited participants were randomly allocated to one of three screening groups with different fee levels (HK$0, HK$150 [US$19], HK$300 [US$39]) in a randomized controlled trial. Screening uptake and severity of diabetic retinopathy detected were compared. RESULTS Out of 1,688 eligible practitioners, 105 participated and invited 402 patients, with 239 initially agreeing to participate (59.5%). After randomization, 78, 75 and 76 participants in the HK$0, HK$150 and HK$300 fee groups, respectively, reconfirmed their participation and were offered screening at the relevant fee. The uptake of screening was 79.5% (62/78), 81.3% (61/75) and 63.2% (48/76), in the HK$0, HK$150 and HK$300 groups, respectively (P < 0.018). Being in the HK$150 fee group was associated with higher uptake of screening than being in the HK$300 fee group (odds ratio 2.31, P = 0.039). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of any diabetic retinopathy (33.9%, 27.9% and 37.5%, P = 0.378) or sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (4.8%, 8.2% and 16.7%; P = 0.092) among the groups. CONCLUSION A screening fee of HK$150, representing approximately a half subsidy, appears to be as effective in maximizing uptake as a full subsidy (HK$0) and without deterring those at high risk of diabetic retinopathy from screening.
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The Many Roles of Pediatric Integrated Behavioral Health Specialists.
Lu, S, O'Halloran, T, Soares, N
Pediatric clinics of North America. 2021;(3):541-549
Abstract
The primary care pediatric setting is intended to provide continuous and comprehensive care throughout a child's life, ensuring overall well-being. Routinely scheduled well-child visits are ideal to assess developmental progress, environmental health, behavior/psychosocial issues, and other concerns. Delivering integrated behavioral health (IBH) in the primary care setting may aid in identifying any early concerns or difficulties and provides resources and support when these issues first emerge; thus, promoting the child's well-being. IBH should be engaged early and often to establish a relationship with families and follow them as the child develops, regardless of the presence of a precipitating behavior concern.
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Screening recommendations for diabetics.
Robin, A, Giovingo, M
Disease-a-month : DM. 2021;(5):101116
Abstract
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Patients with diabetes are at risk for multiple ophthalmologic complications including, but not limited to, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy. Eye-exams are an important screening tool for patients with diabetes in order to prevent the more severe and vision-threatening sequela of disease. Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can result in a significant decrease in vision-loss. However, recent estimates demonstrate that few diabetic patients meet the recommended screening guidelines. Appropriate referral and follow-up is important for monitoring the ophthalmologic conditions associated with diabetes. Our purpose is to review current recommendations for ophthalmic screening for patients with diabetes in a clear and concise manor for primary care physicians.
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Effects of a 2-Year Primary Care Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Cluster-Randomized Trial.
Höchsmann, C, Dorling, JL, Martin, CK, Newton, RL, Apolzan, JW, Myers, CA, Denstel, KD, Mire, EF, Johnson, WD, Zhang, D, et al
Circulation. 2021;(12):1202-1214
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive lifestyle interventions (ILIs) are the first-line approach to effectively treat obesity and manage associated cardiometabolic risk factors. Because few people have access to ILIs in academic health centers, primary care must implement similar approaches for a meaningful effect on obesity and cardiometabolic disease prevalence. To date, however, effective lifestyle-based obesity treatment in primary care is limited. We examined the effectiveness of a pragmatic ILI for weight loss delivered in primary care among a racially diverse, low-income population with obesity for improving cardiometabolic risk factors over 24 months. METHODS The PROPEL trial (Promoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary Care in Louisiana) randomly allocated 18 clinics equally to usual care or an ILI and subsequently enrolled 803 (351 usual care, 452 ILI) adults (67% Black, 84% female) with obesity from participating clinics. The usual care group continued to receive their normal primary care. The ILI group received a 24-month high-intensity lifestyle-based obesity treatment program, embedded in the clinic setting and delivered by health coaches in weekly sessions initially and monthly sessions in months 7 through 24. RESULTS As recently demonstrated, participants receiving the PROPEL ILI lost significantly more weight over 24 months than those receiving usual care (mean difference, -4.51% [95% CI, -5.93 to -3.10]; P<0.01). Fasting glucose decreased more in the ILI group compared with the usual care group at 12 months (mean difference, -7.1 mg/dL [95% CI, -12.0 to -2.1]; P<0.01) but not 24 months (mean difference, -0.8 mg/dL [95% CI, -6.2 to 4.6]; P=0.76). Increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were greater in the ILI than in the usual care group at both time points (mean difference at 24 months, 4.6 mg/dL [95% CI, 2.9-6.3]; P<0.01). Total:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome severity (z score) decreased more in the ILI group than in the usual care group at both time points, with significant mean differences of the change of -0.31 (95% CI, -0.47 to -0.14; P<0.01) and -0.21 (95% CI, -0.36 to -0.06; P=0.01) at 24 months, respectively. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure did not differ significantly between groups at any time point. CONCLUSIONS A pragmatic ILI consistent with national guidelines and delivered by trained health coaches in primary care produced clinically relevant improvements in cardiometabolic health in an underserved population over 24 months. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02561221.
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Homeopathy for Covid-19 in Primary Care: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Adler, UC, Adler, MS, Hotta, LM, Padula, AEM, de Toledo Cesar, A, Diniz, JNM, Mestre, CAA, Spiller, KR, Soares, L, de Freitas Santos, H, et al
Trials. 2021;(1):109
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effectiveness and safety of homeopathic medicine Natrum muriaticum (LM2) for mild cases of COVID-19 in Primary Health Care. TRIAL DESIGN A randomized, two-armed (1:1), parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial is being performed to test the following hypotheses: H0: homeopathic medicines = placebo (null hypothesis) vs. H1: homeopathic medicines ≠ placebo (alternative hypothesis) for mild cases of COVID-19 in Primary Care. PARTICIPANTS Setting: Primary Care of São Carlos - São Paulo - Brazil. One hundred participants aged 18 years or older, with Influenza-like symptoms and a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Willingness to give informed consent and to comply with the study procedures is also required. Exclusion criterium: severe acute respiratory syndrome. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR Homeopathy: 1 globule of Natrum muriaticum LM2 diluted in 20 mL of alcohol 30% and dispensed in a 30 ml bottle. Placebo: 20 mL of alcohol 30% dispensed in a 30 ml bottle. Posology: one drop taken orally every 4 hours (6 doses/day) while there is fever, cough, tiredness, or pain (headache, sore throat, muscle aches, chest pain, etc.) followed by one drop every 6 hours (4 doses/day) until the fourteenth day of use. The bottle of study medication should be submitted to 10 vigorous shakes (succussions) before each dose. Posology may be changed by telemedicine, with no break in blinding. Study medication should be maintained during home isolation. According to the Primary Care protocol, the home isolation period lasts until the 10th day after the appearance of the first symptom, or up to 72 hours without symptoms. MAIN OUTCOMES The primary endpoint will be time to recovery, defined as the number of days elapsed before all COVID-19 Influenza-like symptoms are recorded as mild or absent during home isolation period. Secondary measures are recovery time for each COVID-19 symptom; score of the scale created for the study (COVID-Simile Scale); medicines used during follow-up; number of days of follow-up; number of visits to emergency services; number of hospitalizations; other symptoms and Adverse Events during home isolation period. RANDOMISATION The study Statistician generated a block randomization list, using a 1:1 ratio of the two groups (denoted as A and B) and a web-based tool ( http://www.random.org/lists ). BLINDING (MASKING): The clinical investigators, the statistician, the Primary Care teams, the study collaborators, and the participants will remain blinded from the identity of the two treatment groups until the end of the study. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): One hundred participants are planned to be randomized (1:1) to placebo (50) or homeopathy (50). TRIAL STATUS Protocol version/date May 21, 2020. Recruitment is ongoing. First participant was recruited/included on June 29,2020. Due to recruitment adaptations to Primary Care changes, the authors anticipate the trial will finish recruiting on April 10, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION COVID-Simile Study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN - https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm ) on June 1st, 2020, and the trial start date was June 15, 2020. Unique ID: UMIN000040602. FULL PROTOCOL The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.
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Food Insecurity and Weight Loss in an Underserved Primary Care Population: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Trial.
Myers, CA, Martin, CK, Apolzan, JW, Arnold, CL, Davis, TC, Johnson, WD, Katzmarzyk, PT, ,
Annals of internal medicine. 2021;(7):1032-1034
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A Primary Care Agenda for Brain Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
Lazar, RM, Howard, VJ, Kernan, WN, Aparicio, HJ, Levine, DA, Viera, AJ, Jordan, LC, Nyenhuis, DL, Possin, KL, Sorond, FA, et al
Stroke. 2021;(6):e295-e308
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Abstract
A healthy brain is critical for living a longer and fuller life. The projected aging of the population, however, raises new challenges in maintaining quality of life. As we age, there is increasing compromise of neuronal activity that affects functions such as cognition, also making the brain vulnerable to disease. Once pathology-induced decline begins, few therapeutic options are available. Prevention is therefore paramount, and primary care can play a critical role. The purpose of this American Heart Association scientific statement is to provide an up-to-date summary for primary care providers in the assessment and modification of risk factors at the individual level that maintain brain health and prevent cognitive impairment. Building on the 2017 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association presidential advisory on defining brain health that included "Life's Simple 7," we describe here modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, including depression, hypertension, physical inactivity, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, poor diet, smoking, social isolation, excessive alcohol use, sleep disorders, and hearing loss. These risk factors include behaviors, conditions, and lifestyles that can emerge before adulthood and can be routinely identified and managed by primary care clinicians.
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Reducing Emergency Department Visits Among Patients With Diabetes by Embedding Clinical Pharmacists in the Primary Care Teams.
Moreno, G, Fu, JY, Chon, JS, Bell, DS, Grotts, J, Tseng, CH, Maranon, R, Skootsky, SS, Mangione, CM
Medical care. 2021;(4):348-353
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BACKGROUND Pharmacists are effective at improving control of cardiovascular risk factors, but it less clear whether these improvements translate into less emergency department (ED) use and fewer hospitalizations. The UCMyRx program embed pharmacists in primary care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine if the integration of pharmacists into primary care was associated with lower ED and hospital use for patients with diabetes. DESIGN This was a quasi-experimental study with a comparator group. SUBJECTS The analytic sample included patients with diabetes with uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors (A1C >9%, blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol >130 mg/dL) who had 1 or more visits in either a UCMyRx (648 patients, 14 practices) or usual care practice (1944 patients, 14 practices). MEASURES Our outcomes were ED and hospitalization rates as measured before and after the consultations between UCMyRx and usual care. Our predictor variable was the pharmacist consultation. Poisson generalized estimating equations model was used to estimate the adjusted predicted change in utilization before and after the pharmacist consultation. The Average Treatment Effect on the Treated was estimated. RESULTS In models adjusted, the adjusted mean predicted number of emergency department visits/month during the year before the consultation was 0.09 among UCMyRx patients. During the year after initiating the care with the pharmacists, this rate decreased to an adjusted mean monthly rate of 0.07, with an Average Treatment Effect on the Treated=0.021 (P=0.035), a predicted reduction of 21% in emergency department visits associated with the clinical pharmacist consults. There was a nonsignificant predicted 3.2% reduction in hospitalizations over time for patients in the UCMyRx program. CONCLUSION Clinical pharmacists are an important addition to clinical care teams in primary care practices and significantly decreased utilization of the ED among patients with poorly controlled diabetes.