OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcomes and costs associated with surgery versus sclerotherapy as treatment of hydroceles. METHODSA total of 53 men consecutively treated for hydrocele at our organization, ...between December 2015 and June 2019, were retrospectively analyzed (39 with Jaboulay technique and 14 with sclerotherapy). All charts were reviewed, assessing clinical data, ultrasound findings, surgical data, and post-procedure outcomes. The hospital finance department calculated the cost of outpatient evaluation, complementary tests, supplies, drugs, and professionals' costs throughout all procedures. RESULTSThe median age for both groups was similar (58 and 65 years old). Comorbidities were less frequent in the Surgery Group (20; 51%) than in the Sclerotherapy Group (14; 100%, p<0.05). The median length of hospital stay was 34.5±16.3 hours for the Surgery Group and 4 hours for the Sclerotherapy Group. The mean follow-up period was similar for both groups (85.4±114.8 days after surgery, and 60.9±80.1 days after sclerotherapy, p=0.467). No significant complications occurred in any patient. Success rates were 94.8% after surgery and 92.8% after sclerotherapy. The mean cost per patient was US$2,558.69 in the Surgery Group (Hydrocelectomy Group) and US$463.58 in the Sclerotherapy Group (p<0.0001). Costs directly related to in-hospital treatment procedures were significantly higher for surgery versus sclerotherapy (US$2,219.82±US$1,629.06 versus US$130.64±US$249.60; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONSclerotherapy is an excellent treatment option for idiopathic hydrocele as compared to traditional Jaboulay. It has a high success rate, low complication rates, fast discharge and patients return quicker to activities of daily living.
Objective To establish, measure and analyze quality indicators in the evaluation and enrolment process of patients in a liver transplant program. Methods A quantitative and non-experimental research, ...with data collected from the database of a liver transplant program, from September 2012 to September 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quality indicators identified. Results We analyzed 1,311 visits in the transplant outpatient clinic, most males (66.7%), white (65.1%), mean age of 53 (±12.5) years, from the Southeastern Region (91.2%), and from the State of São Paulo (80.8%). The indicators measured were efficiency of patient admission process (54.8%), efficiency of evaluation of transplant indication (39.9%), efficacy of treatment of patients seen in the program (21.8%), and waiting time to inclusion in the waiting list, median of 84 days (36-142). Conclusion The quality indicators analyzed in this study enabled a quantitative view of the process, facilitating management of results and benchmarking with other transplant centers. Continuous monitoring can optimize resource allocation and planning of services in patient's admission process.
Introduction
Heart transplant (HTx) recipients need to follow a complex therapeutic regimen. We assessed the international prevalence and variability in nonadherence to six nonpharmacologic treatment ...components (physical activity, sun protection, diet, alcohol use, nonsmoking, and outpatient follow‐up visits).
Methods
We used self‐report data of 1397 adult HTx recipients from the 36‐HTx‐center, 11‐country, 4‐continent, cross‐sectional BRIGHT study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01608477). The nonadherence definitions used were as follows: Physical activity: <3 times/wk 20 minutes’ vigorous activity, <5 times/wk 30 minutes’ moderate activity, or <5 times/wk a combination of either intensity; Sun protection: not “always” applying any sun protection; Diet: not “often” or “always” following recommended diet(s); Alcohol use: >1 alcoholic drink/d (women) or >2 drinks/d (men); Smoking: current smokers or stopped <1 year before; Follow‐up visits: missing ≥1 of the last 5 outpatient follow‐up visits. Overall prevalence figures were adjusted to avoid over‐ or underrepresentation of countries. Between‐country variability was assessed within each treatment component via chi‐square testing.
Results
The adjusted study‐wide nonadherence prevalence figures were as follows: 47.8% for physical activity (95% CI 45.2‐50.5), 39.9% for sun protection (95% CI 37.3‐42.5), 38.2% for diet recommendations (95% CI 35.1‐41.3), 22.9% for alcohol consumption (95% CI 20.8‐25.1), 7.4% for smoking cessation (95% CI 6.1‐8.7), and 5.7% for follow‐up visits (95% CI 4.6‐6.9). Significant variability was observed between countries in all treatment components except follow‐up visits.
Conclusion
Nonadherence to the post‐HTx nonpharmacologic treatment regimen is prevalent and shows significant variability internationally, suggesting a need for tailored adherence‐enhancing interventions.
To assess and compare the prevalence of medication nonadherence (MNA) (implementation and persistence) to immunosuppressants and co-medications in heart transplant recipients.
MNA prevalence was ...assessed using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale (self-report) and compared using logistic regression in a 4-continent sample of 1397 heart transplant recipients from 36 heart transplant centers in 11 countries.
MNA was significantly (α = 0.05) higher to co-medications than to immunosuppressants (taking nonadherence: 23.9% vs 17.3%; odds ratio OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.30–1.73; drug holiday: 5.7% vs 1.9%; OR = 3.17; 95% CI, 2.13–4.73; dose alteration: 3.8% vs 1.6%; OR = 2.46; 95% CI, 1.49–4.06; and discontinuation: 2.6% vs 0.5%; OR = 5.15; 95% CI, 2.36–11.20).
The observed MNA necessitates adherence-enhancing interventions encompassing the entire post–heart transplant medication regimen. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01608477.
A trustful relationship between transplant patients and their transplant team (interpersonal trust) is essential in order to achieve positive health outcomes and behaviors. We aimed to 1) explore ...variability of trust in transplant teams; 2) explore the association between the level of chronic illness management and trust; 3) investigate the relationship of trust on behavioral outcomes. A secondary data analysis of the BRIGHT study (ID: NCT01608477; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01608477?id=NCT01608477&rank=1) was conducted, including multicenter data from 36 heart transplant centers from 11 countries across four different continents. A total of 1,397 heart transplant recipients and 100 clinicians were enrolled. Trust significantly varied among the transplant centers. Higher levels of chronic illness management were significantly associated with greater trust in the transplant team (patients: AOR= 1.85, 95% CI = 1.47-2.33,
< 0.001; clinicians: AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.07-1.71,
= 0.012). Consultation time significantly moderated the relationship between chronic illness management levels and trust only when clinicians spent ≥30 min with patients. Trust was significantly associated with better diet adherence (OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.01-1.77,
= 0.040). Findings indicate the relevance of trust and chronic illness management in the transplant ecosystem to achieve improved transplant outcomes. Thus, further investment in re-engineering of transplant follow-up toward chronic illness management, and sufficient time for consultations is required.
Health literacy (HL) is a major determinant of health outcomes; however, there are few studies exploring the role of HL among heart transplant recipients. The objectives of this study were to: (1) ...explore and compare the prevalence of inadequate HL among heart transplant recipients internationally; (2) determine the correlates of HL; and (3) assess the relationship between HL and health-related behaviors.
A secondary analysis was conducted using data of the 1,365 adult patients from the BRIGHT study, an international multicenter, cross-sectional study that surveyed heart transplant recipients across 11 countries and 4 continents. Using the Subjective Health Literacy Screener, inadequate HL was operationalized as being confident in filling out medical forms none/a little/some of the time (HL score of 0 to 2). Correlates of HL were determined using backward stepwise logistic regression. The relationship between HL and the health-related behaviors were examined using hierarchical logistic regression.
Overall, 33.1% of the heart transplant recipients had inadequate HL. Lower education level (adjusted odds ratio AOR 0.24, p < 0.001), unemployment (AOR 0.69, p = 0.012) and country (residing in Brazil, AOR 0.25, p < 0.001) were shown to be associated with inadequate HL. Heart transplant recipients with adequate HL had higher odds of engaging in sufficient physical activity (AOR 1.6, p = 0.016). HL was not significantly associated with the other health behaviors.
Clinicians should recognize that almost one third of heart transplant participants have inadequate health literacy. Furthermore, they should adopt communication strategies that could mitigate the potential negative impact of inadequate HL.
Abstract Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (1) explore the proportion of HTx centers that have a multidisciplinary team and (2) assess the relationship between multidisciplinarity and ...the level of chronic illness management (CIM). Background The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) recommends a multidisciplinary approach in heart transplant (HTx) follow-up care but little is known regarding the proportion of HTx centers that meet this recommendation and the impact on patient care. HTx centers with a multidisciplinary team may offer higher levels of CIM, a care model that has the potential to improve outcomes after HTx. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the BRIGHT study, a cross-sectional study in 11 countries. Multidisciplinarity in the 36 HTx centers was assessed through HTx director reports and was defined as having a team that was composed of physician(s), nurse(s), and another healthcare professional (either a social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist, pharmacist, dietician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist). CIM was assessed with the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC). Multiple linear regression assessed the relationship between multidisciplinarity and the level of CIM. Results Twenty-nine (80.6%) of the HTx centers had a multidisciplinary team. Furthermore, multidisciplinarity was significantly associated with higher levels of CIM ( β = 5.2, P = 0.042). Conclusion Majority of the HTx centers follows the ISHLT recommendation for a multidisciplinary approach. Multidisciplinarity was associated with CIM and point toward a structural factor that needs to be in place for moving toward CIM.
Reviews on alcohol use in transplant recipients focus on liver recipients and their risk of post-transplant rejection, but do not assess alcohol use in kidney, heart, or lung transplant recipients. ...This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize the evidence on correlates and outcomes of any alcohol use and at-risk drinking after solid organ transplantation (Tx).
We searched 4 databases for quantitative studies in adult heart, liver, kidney and lung Tx recipients, investigating associations between post-Tx alcohol use and correlates and/or clinical, economic or quality of life outcomes. Paper selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by 2 reviewers independently. A pooled odds ratio (OR) was computed for each correlate/outcome reported ≥5 times.
Of the 5331 studies identified, 76 were included in this systematic review (93.3% on liver Tx; mean sample size 148.9 (SD = 160.2); 71.9% male; mean age 48.9 years (SD = 6.5); mean time post-Tx 57.7 months (SD = 23.1)). On average, 23.6% of patients studied used alcohol post-transplant. Ninety-three correlates of any post-Tx alcohol use were identified, and 9 of the 19 pooled ORs were significantly associated with a higher odds for any post-Tx alcohol use: male gender, being employed post-transplant, smoking pre-transplant, smoking post-transplant, a history of illicit drug use, having first-degree relatives who have alcohol-related problems, sobriety <6 months prior to transplant, a history of psychiatric illness, and having received treatment for alcohol-related problems pre-transplant. On average 15.1% of patients had at-risk drinking. A pooled OR was calculated for 6 of the 47 correlates of post-Tx at risk drinking investigated, of which pre-transplant smoking was the only correlate being significantly associated with this behavior. None of the outcomes investigated were significantly associated with any use or at-risk drinking.
Correlates of alcohol use remain under-investigated in solid organ transplant recipients other than liver transplantation. Further research is needed to determine whether any alcohol use or at-risk drinking is associated with poorer post-transplant outcomes. Our meta-analysis highlights avenues for future research of higher methodological quality and improved clinical care.
PROSPERO protocol CRD42015003333
•Previous reviews focused on post-transplant alcohol use in patients with a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis•This is the first systematic review describing correlates and outcomes of any and at-risk alcohol use after solid organ Tx•Of the 93 correlates identified, 9 significantly correlated with any alcohol use, and 1 with at-risk drinking•Of the 3 outcomes for which an effect size could be calculated, none were significantly associated with post-Tx alcohol use•There is a need for more well-designed studies on post-transplant alcohol use outside the field of liver Tx
Background:
As medication non-adherence is a major risk factor for poor post-transplant outcomes, we explored how adherence is assessed, enhanced and integrated across the transplant continuum.
Aim:
...The aim of this study was to study practice patterns regarding pre- and post-transplant medication adherence assessment and interventions in international heart transplant centres.
Methods:
We used data from the Building Research Initiative Group: chronic illness management and adherence in heart transplantation (BRIGHT) study, a cross-sectional study conducted in 36 heart transplant centres in 11 countries. On a 27-item questionnaire, 100 clinicians (range one to five per centre) reported their practice patterns regarding adherence assessment and intervention strategies pre-transplant, immediately post-transplant, less than one year, and one or more year post-transplant. Educational/cognitive, counselling/behavioural and psychosocial/affective strategies were assessed. Clinicians’ responses (intervention present vs. absent; or incongruence in reporting intervention) were aggregated at the centre level.
Results:
The adherence assessment method most commonly used along the transplant continuum was questioning patients (range 75–88.9%). Pre-transplant, all three categories of intervention strategy were applied. Providing reading materials (82.9%) or instructions (68.6%), involving family or support persons in education (91.4%), and establishing partnership (91.4%) were used most frequently. Post-transplant, strategies closely resembled those employed pre-transplant. Training patients (during recovery) and cueing were more often applied during hospitalisation (74.3%). After the first year post-transplant, except for motivational interviewing (25.7–28.6%), the number of strategies decreased.
Conclusions:
Across the transplant continuum, diverse adherence interventions are implemented; however, post-transplant, the frequency of adherence interventions decreases. Therefore, increased investment is necessary in long-term adherence interventions.
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