J Manresa | Search PubMed

PubMed1991

[Creatine phosphokinase in leptospirosis].

Leptospirosis is a widely-distributed infectious disease, that usually presents with fever, headache and myalgia. Organ involvement could have very different severity degree. We evaluate 21 patients with leptospirosis looking for prognostic and diagnostic value of myalgia and/or elevated creatine-phosphokinase serum levels. Myalgia was recorded in nearly all patients (91%). Creatine-phosphokinase levels above normal limits were seen in 37% of cases, either in severe forms of leptospirosis with organ involvement or in mild forms of disease. We conclude that creatine-phosphokinase elevated levels could be of early diagnosis interest but they are not solely seen in the more severe forms of the disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Monitoring domiciliary oxygen therapy from a district hospital].

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed a) to evaluate correct use of domiciliary oxygen therapy (DOT); b) to estimate the prevalence of DOT, and c) to evaluate DOT based on the same parameters after intervention by the monitoring team. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional, prospective study of all patients receiving DOT before and after initiation of monitoring. We administered spirometric tests, analyzed indications for and compliance with DOT and monitored pulse oxymetry in order to adjust oxygen flow. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were receiving DOT (63/100,000 inhabitants). Among the 60 patients with COPD, half met ideal indications for prescribing DOT, 65% complied with over 15 h of DOT, and hypoxemia was not corrected for 26%. Monitoring resulted in withdrawal of DOT from 28 patients (reduction of 37%), and DOT was prescribed for 27 new patients, 11 of whom received liquid oxygen. At the end of the study, 46 patients were receiving DOT (38/100,000 inhabitants). CONCLUSIONS: a) Ideal indications for DOT, adequate compliance and correction of hypoxemia were observed in 54% of the patients undergoing therapy; b) creation of a special service to care for patients receiving DOT improves monitoring, and c) the prevalence of DOT in our area has been reduced from 63 to 38/100,000 inhabitants.

Aged↗