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Biomedical subjects

J Pouchot

Publications and source records attributed to J Pouchot.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis].

AIR-FILLED CYSTS: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a benign air-filled cystic formation lying in submucosal or subserous digestive tissue. PCI has been reported all along the digestive tract. CLINICAL SIGNS: Manifestations of PCI vary greatly. Some cases are asymptomatic, while others are revealed by abdominal pain or pneumoperitoneum. Outcome is usually favorable. EXPLORATION: The plain radiogram of the abdomen shows gaseous cysts of various forms lying between the liver and the diaphragm. Pneumoperitoneum may be present. Computed tomography is the ideal diagnostic test. Endoscopy may be useful for colonic localizations. PATHOGENESIS: Many causes have been suggested and debated. Fifteen percent of all cases of PCI are idiopathic. In the other cases, digestive tract or respiratory tract diseases, are usually the underlying cause. Exceptionally systemic disease may be associated with PCI, particularly systemic sclerosis. TREATMENT: Surgery should be reserved for particularly severe cases.

Adolescent↗

Acquired hemophilia due to factor VIII inhibitors in 34 patients.

BACKGROUND: Acquired hemophilia is a rare disease caused by the development of auto-antibodies against factor VIII. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied the characteristics and outcomes of 34 patients (19 women and 15 men) with acquired hemophilia from 1980 to 1997. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 61 years (range, 22-93 years). An underlying disease was observed in 18 (53%) patients: 5 patients had cancer, 4 an autoimmune disorder, 2 a dermatologic disorder, 3 asthma, 3 were postpartum, and 1 had an adverse reaction to ampicillin. Factor VIII level was <5% in 30 (90%) patients; factor VIII antibodies were elevated (>10 Bethesda units) in 23 (69%) patients. Bleeding requiring transfusions was reported in 25 (75%) patients. Human factor VIII was given to 14 patients and porcine factor VIII to 5. Six patients received prothrombin complex concentrates and one desmopressin. Several immunosuppressive treatments were used, mainly corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Bleeding stopped in all but one patient within 2 weeks. Most patients achieved complete remission, although two relapses were observed subsequently. CONCLUSION: This large study helps to clarify the presentation and clinical course of acquired hemophilia. Prospective studies are needed to determine the efficacy of treatment.

Adult↗

[Adult-onset Still's disease after hepatitis A and B vaccination?].

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A and B vaccination are generally very well tolerated. However, exceptional cases of arthritis and systemic diseases have been reported after hepatitis B vaccination. CASE REPORT: The authors report a case of adult Still's disease apparently triggered by hepatitis A and B vaccination. The patient was a 38-year-old woman who presented with fever, hepatitis, pneumonitis and neurologic symptoms, compatible with the diagnosis of adult Still's disease. DISCUSSION: The authors discuss the rarity of systemic diseases triggered by such vaccination, the link between hepatitis B virus and some vasculitis, and the possibility for viral bacterial infections to trigger adult Still's disease.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Reliability of tuberculin skin test measurement.

BACKGROUND: Important management decisions depend on results of the tuberculin skin test. However, the test is subject to several potential errors, and its reliability has not been adequately studied. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the reliability of tuberculin skin testing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 96 persons who received a tuberculin skin test. MEASUREMENTS: Ballpoint-pen and palpation measures of induration. RESULTS: Global intra- and interobserver reliability coefficients of the ballpoint-pen technique were high. Five percent of the time, however, a second measurement by the same observer could be at least 2.7 mm less to 3.0 mm more than the first measurement and the measurement from the second observer could be at least 3.4 mm less to 3.7 mm more than the measurement from the first observer. This could lead to the reclassification of a positive test result as negative or vice versa. The area of imprecision was 38% less broad for the ballpoint-pen technique than for the palpation technique. CONCLUSION: Reading of tuberculin skin tests may frequently result in misclassifications when measurements are close to the cutoff point that separates negative from positive results.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

The AIMS2-SF: a short form of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2. French Quality of Life in Rheumatology Group.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a short form of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2) questionnaire, preserving content validity as the priority criterion. METHODS: A 2-step reduction procedure was used: 1) Delphi technique, with 1 panel of patients and 1 panel of experts each selecting 1 set of items independently; and 2) nominal group technique, where members of both panels reached consensus on the final selection of items, using information derived from item analysis. Psychometric properties of the AIMS2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF) and AIMS2 were compared using data from a cohort of 127 rheumatoid arthritis patients who completed the AIMS2 twice prior to the initiation of methotrexate (MTX) treatment and 3 months post-initiation of MTX treatment. RESULTS: The 2 panels reached consensus on a 26-item AIMS2-SF (54.4% reduction from the AIMS2). Factor analysis showed preservation of the 5-component structure. Convergent validity (Physical and Symptom components with clinical variables: r = 0.24-0.59), test-retest reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.7), and sensitivity to change at 3 months (standardized response mean 0.36-0.8, except Social Interaction component [0.08]) were very close to the values for the original AIMS2. CONCLUSION: The AIMS2-SF is a shorter version of the AIMS2 (i.e., available in 2-page format) and has psychometric properties similar to those of the AIMS2.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Pancytopenia in acute brucellosis].

Leuconeutropenia is a common manifestation of acute brucellosis, whereas other hematological abnormalities and pancytopenia are uncommon. We report a patient presenting with acute brucellosis and pancytopenia.

Acute Disease↗

[Measurement of body temperature in daily practice].

Accurate measurement of body temperature is essential in routine medical practice. Development of new measurement methods, and awareness of mercury hazards are leading to the modification of our current practices. The range of body temperature in healthy individuals is 36.8 +/- 0.4 degrees C, but it may be influenced by many factors. Therefore, body temperature should be measured in a standardized fashion, preferably at rest, in the morning on waking. Febrile state is generally defined as a morning rectal temperature above 37.5 degrees C. Body temperature is largely dependent of the site of measurement. Rectal temperature is the highest, and oral temperature measured in the sublingual pocket close to the lingual artery generally the lowest. Tympanic membrane temperature is assumed to best reflect the core temperature. Axillary and cutaneous measures are unreliable. Mercury-in-glass thermometer used to measure rectal temperature still remains the reference in France. However, rectal measurement is inconvenient and associated with a risk of rectal injury and cross-infection. Moreover, mercury-in-glass thermometer results in high mercury pollution. Tendency is to replace it by either electronic thermometer to measure oral temperature, or infrared thermometer for tympanic membrane measure. Although reliable, chemical measures are still underused.

Body Temperature↗