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Biomedical subjects

S Chevret

Publications and source records attributed to S Chevret.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Compliance with triage to intensive care recommendations.

DESIGN: Recommendations for triage to intensive care units (ICUs) have been issued but not evaluated. SETTING: In this prospective, multicenter study, all patients granted or refused admission to 26 ICUs affiliated with the French Society for Critical Care were included during a 1-month period. Characteristics of participating ICUs and patients, circumstances of triage, and description of the triage decision with particular attention to compliance with published recommendations were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,009 patients were and 283 were not admitted to the participating ICUs. Refused patients were more likely to be older than 65 yrs (odds ratio [OR], 3.53; confidence interval [CI], 1.98-5.32) and to have a poor chronic health status (OR, 3.09; CI, 2.05-4.67). An admission diagnosis of acute respiratory or renal failure, shock, or coma was associated with admission, whereas chronic severe respiratory and heart failure or metastatic disease without hope of remission were associated with refusal (OR, 2.24; CI, 1.38-3.64). Only four (range, 0-8) of the 20 recommendations for triage to ICU were observed; a full unit and triage over the phone were associated with significantly poorer compliance with recommendations (0 [0-2] vs. 6 [2-9], p =.0003; and 1 [0-6] vs. 6 [1-9], p <.0001; respectively). CONCLUSION: Recommendations for triage to intensive care are rarely observed, particularly when the unit is full or triage is done over the phone. These recommendations may need to be redesigned to improve their practicability under real-life conditions, with special attention to phone triage and triaging to a full unit.

Age Factors↗

Induction of labour with a viable infant: a randomised clinical trial comparing intravaginal misoprostol and intravaginal dinoprostone.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of vaginal misoprostol (50 microg) with vaginal dinoprostone. DESIGN: Double-blind randomised trial. SETTING: Obstetrics Department, Poissy Hospital, France. PARTICIPANTS: 370 patients with medical indications for induction of labour. OUTCOME MEASURES: Vaginal deliveries within 24 hours, as well as time to vaginal deliveries, caesarean rates, costs, and fetal, neonatal and maternal condition. RESULTS: Compared with vaginal dinoprostone, vaginal misoprostol resulted in greater efficacy in several areas: vaginal delivery within 24 hours; time to vaginal delivery; and vaginal delivery within 12 hours. There was a non-significant increase in the caesarean section rate for fetal distress in the misoprostol group, but fewer caesarean sections for failed induction. Fetal tolerance was similar in the two groups, although significantly more neonates had a cord pH <7.20 and (non-significantly) none had meconium stained amniotic fluid in the misoprostol group. The incidence of poor neonatal outcome was similar in both groups. Subgroup analysis by indication for induction showed that the higher rates of arterial cord pH <7.20 and of meconium-stained amniotic fluid with misoprostol persisted only in possible fetal compromise. Poor neonatal outcome was less frequent in the misoprostol group in cases of induction for non-fetal indications. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal misoprostol resulted in successful and earlier induction of labour more often than dinoprostone, but the safety of misoprostol raises some concern in potentially compromised infants. Misoprostol should be preferred to dinoprostone in cases of induction for non-fetal indications.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Intravenous immune globulins in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and contraindications to plasma exchange: 3 days versus 6 days.

Plasma exchange is contraindicated in 10 to 20% of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The optimal schedule for intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) therapy has not yet been established in these patients. The objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of two IVIg treatment durations in patients with GBS with contraindications for plasma exchange. In this randomised, double blind, multicentre phase II trial conducted in seven French centres, patients with GBS with severe haemostasis, unstable haemodynamics, or uncontrolled sepsis were randomly assigned to 0.4 g/kg/day IVIg for 3 or 6 days. The primary outcome measure was the time needed to regain the ability to walk with assistance. Thirty nine patients were included from March 1994 to May 1997, 21 in the 3 day group and 18 in the 6 day group. Time to walking with assistance was non-significantly shorter in the 6 day group (84 (23-121) v 131 days (51-210), p=0.08); the difference was significant in ventilated patients (86 days (13-151) in the 6 day group v 152 days (54-332) in the 3 day group; p=0.04). The prevalence and severity of IVIg related adverse effects were comparable between the two groups. In conclusion, in patients with GBS and contraindications for plasma exchange, especially those who need ventilatory assistance, IVIg (0.4 g/kg/day) may be more beneficial when given for 6 days rather than 3 days.

Aged↗

Meeting the needs of intensive care unit patient families: a multicenter study.

Intensive care unit (ICU) caregivers should seek to develop collaborative relationships with their patients' family members, based on an open exchange of information and aimed at helping family members cope with their distress and allowing them to speak for the patient if necessary. We conducted a prospective multicenter study of family member satisfaction evaluated using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. Forty-three French ICUs participated in the study. ICU characteristics, patient and family member demographics, and data on satisfaction were collected. Factors associated with satisfaction were identified using a Poisson regression model. A total of 637 patients were included in the study, and 920 family members completed the questionnaire. Seven predictors of family satisfaction were found: one family-related factor, namely, family of French descent and six caregiver-related factors, namely, no perceived contradictions in information given by caregivers; information provided by a junior physician; patient to nurse ratio </= 3; knowledge of the specific role of each caregiver; help from the family's own doctor; and sufficient time spent giving information. Predictors of satisfaction are amenable to intervention and deserve to be investigated further with the goal of improving the satisfaction of ICU patients' family members.

Adult↗

Infection as a trigger of diabetic ketoacidosis in intensive care-unit patients.

We determined the prevalence and indicators of infection in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) by performing a retrospective analysis of 123 episodes of DKA (in 113 patients) managed in a medical ICU between 1990 and 1997. In univariate analysis, features associated with infection were female sex, neurological symptoms at admission, fever during the week before admission, a need for colloids, a high blood lactate level at admission, and lack of complete clearance of ketonuria within 12 h. Multivariate analysis identified 3 independent predictors of infection: female sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; confidence interval [CI], 1.05-5.35), neurological symptoms at admission (OR, 2.83; CI, 1.18-6.8), and lack of complete clearance of ketonuria within 12 h (OR, 3.73; CI, 1.58-9.09). Infection is the leading trigger of DKA in ICU patients. Neurological symptoms at admission and lack of complete clearance of ketonuria within 12 h are useful warning signals of infection.

Adult↗

Rapid diagnosis of infectious pleural effusions by use of reagent strips.

Reagent strips have not yet been tested for use in the diagnosis of infectious pleural effusions. A reagent strip was used to evaluate 82 patients with pleural effusions: 20 patients had transudative effusions, 35 had infectious exudative effusions (empyema in 14 and parapneumonic effusion in 21), and 27 had noninfectious exudative effusions. Pleural fluid protein, as evaluated by the reagent strip, proved accurate for the detection of exudative effusions (sensitivity, 93.1%; specificity, 50%; positive predictive value, 84.3%; negative predictive value, 71.5%; odds ratio [OR], 6.77; and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87-24). The reagent strip leukocyte esterase test effectively detected infectious exudative effusions (sensitivity, 42.8%; specificity, 91.3%; positive predictive value, 88.2%; negative predictive value, 51.2%; OR, 4.46; and 95% CI, 1.2-16.4). Pleural pH was significantly predicted by the reagent strip but was of no assistance in categorization of exudative effusions as infectious or noninfectious. Compared with physical, laboratory, and microbiological data, the reagent strip was as accurate for estimation of percentages of infectious and noninfectious exudative effusions. Thus, reagent strips may be a rapid, easy-to-use, and inexpensive technique for discriminating transudative from exudative pleural effusions and for categorizing exudative pleural effusions as infectious or noninfectious.

Adult↗

Constitutive elevation of serum alpha-fetoprotein in Fanconi anemia.

The diagnosis of Fanconi anemia (FA) is based on the association of congenital malformations, bone marrow failure syndrome, and hypersensitivity to chromosomal breaks induced by cross-linking agents. In the absence of typical features, the diagnosis is not easy to establish because there is no simple and cost-effective test; thus, investigators must rely on specialized analyses of chromosomal breaks. Because we observed elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (sAFP) levels in FA patients, we investigated this parameter as a possible diagnostic tool. Serum AFP levels from 61 FA patients and 27 controls with acquired aplastic anemia or other inherited bone marrow failure syndromes were analyzed using a fluoroimmunoassay based on the TRACE technology. Serum AFP levels were significantly more elevated (P <.0001) in FA than in non-FA aplastic patients. In the detection of FA patients among patients with bone marrow failure syndromes, this assay had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100%. This elevation was not explained by liver abnormalities. Levels of sAFP were unchanged during at least 4 years of follow-up, and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation did not modify sAFP levels. Three of 4 FA patients with mosaicism as well as 5 of 6 FA patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were detected by this test. Heterozygous parents of FA patients had normal sAFP levels. Measurement of sAFP levels with this automated, cost-effective, and reproducible fluoroimmunoassay could be proposed for the preliminary diagnosis of FA whenever this disorder is suspected.

Adolescent↗

Measures of treatment effectiveness on tumour response and survival: a multi-state model approach.

This paper proposes the application of a counting process approach in the analysis of treatment effect on tumour response and survival. It relies on the definition of two transient states between which individuals may move over time, that is, response and non-response, and of one absorbing state, death. Three models are discussed according to the underlying Markov and duration dependence assumptions, as well as a marginal modelling of repeated transitions between the two transient states. We illustrate the proposed methods with data from a randomized clinical trial assessing the effect of fludarabine in patients with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Nocturnal mechanical ventilation for chronic hypoventilation in patients with neuromuscular and chest wall disorders.

BACKGROUND: Chronic alveolar hypoventilation is a common complication of many neuromuscular and chest wall disorders. Long term nocturnal mechanical ventilation is used to treat an increasing number of patients. OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy of nocturnal mechanical ventilation in relieving hypoventilation related symptoms in patients with neuromuscular or chest wall disorders. SEARCH STRATEGY: Search of the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group register for randomized trials and enquiry from authors of trials and other experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Types of studies: quasi-randomized or randomized controlled trials TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS: patients with neuromuscular or chest wall disorder-related stable chronic hypoventilation of all ages and all degrees of severity. Types of interventions: any type and any mode of nocturnal mechanical ventilation. Types of outcome measures: Primary: short term and long term reversal of hypoventilation related clinical symptoms Secondary: unplanned hospital admission rate, one year mortality, short term and long term reversal of day time hypercapnia, improvement of lung function and improvement of sleep breathing disorders. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We identified four randomized trials. One author extracted the data and another checked them. Individual data were available from the authors of the largest study. MAIN RESULTS: The four eligible trials included a total of 51 patients. The risk difference (proportion of patients) of no improvement of hypoventilation related clinical symptoms in the short term following nocturnal mechanical ventilation was significant and favoured treatment, -0.417 (95% CI -0.639 to -0.194). However, there was significant heterogeneity across the studies (p<0.001). Similarly, the risk difference of no reversal of day time hypercapnia in the short term following nocturnal ventilation was significant and favoured treatment, -0.635 (95% CI -0.874 to -0.396). The weighted mean difference of nocturnal mean oxygen saturation percent was 5.5 (95% CI 1.5 to 9.4) more improvement in patients treated with nocturnal mechanical ventilation. For the primary and most of the secondary outcome measures there was no significant difference between nocturnal mechanical ventilation and no ventilation in the long term, except for one-year mortality. Indeed, the risk difference of death one year following implementation of nocturnal mechanical ventilation was significant and favoured treatment, -0.259 (95% CI -0.478 to -0. 041). However, there was significant heterogeneity across the studies (p<0.001). Most of the secondary outcomes were not assessed in the eligible trials. No data could be summarised for the comparisons between invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, between intermittent positive pressure and negative pressure ventilation, and between volume-cycled and pressure-cycled ventilation. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence about the therapeutic benefit of mechanical ventilation is weak, but consistent, suggesting alleviation of the symptoms of chronic hypoventilation in the short term, and in two small studies survival was prolonged. Mechanical ventilation should be offered as a therapeutic option to patients with chronic hypoventilation due to neuromuscular diseases. Further larger randomized trials are needed to confirm long term beneficial effects of nocturnal mechanical ventilation on quality of life, morbidity and mortality, to assess its cost-benefit ratio, and to compare the different types and modes of ventilation.

Chronic Disease↗

Validity and reliability of two muscle strength scores commonly used as endpoints in assessing treatment of myasthenia gravis.

Valid and reliable measurements of muscle impairment are needed to assess therapeutic efficacy in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). In 22 patients we compared the validity and interobserver reliability of two scoring methods commonly used as main endpoints in clinical trials, i.e., the Myasthenic Muscle Score (MMS) ranging from 0 to 100 (normal) and the Quantified Myasthenia Gravis Strength Score (QMGSS) ranging from 0 (normal) to 39. Each score is correlated more with functional scale and less with the patient's self-evaluation. Using intraclass correlation we found strong agreement between observers for both the MMS (r = 0.906) and the QMGSS (r = 0.905). The correlation between MMS and QGMSS was high (r = 0.87). The reliability of neither score depended on any specific item, since the removal of individual items did not significantly alter the intraclass correlation coefficient (ranging from 0.86 to 0.93).

Adult↗

Long-term follow-up confirms the benefit of all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia. European APL group.

First results of a randomized trial (APL91 trial) and other randomized or non-randomized studies have shown that ATRA followed by chemotherapy significantly increased event-free survival (EFS) and survival, and decreased the incidence of relapse by comparison to chemotherapy alone in newly diagnosed APL. We present here long-term follow-up of the APL91 trial. In this trial, 101 patients had been randomized between ATRA followed by three courses of daunorubicin-AraC chemotherapy (ATRA group) and the same chemotherapy alone (chemotherapy group). Results were reanalyzed 73 months after closing of patient entry. Updated results of APL 91 trial found a Kaplan-Meier estimate of EFS and relapse rate at 4 years of 63% and 31% in the ATRA group, as compared to 17% and 78% in the chemotherapy group (P= 10(-4) and relative risk 2.95, P= 10(-4) and relative risk 3.68, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival at 4 years was 76% in the ATRA group and 49% in the chemotherapy group (P= 0.026, relative risk 2.7). In the chemotherapy group, seven of the 27 relapses occurred after 18 months, but no relapse was seen after 43 months. In the ATRA group, four of the 17 relapses occurred after 18 months, including two late relapses (at 58 and 74 months). In the chemotherapy group, 23 of the 25 patients who relapsed achieved a second CR with ATRA, and the Kaplan-Meier estimate of second relapse was 40% at 30 months. In the ATRA group, the 10 patients who relapsed and were retreated with ATRA achieved a second CR. In conclusion, long-term results of APL91 trial confirm the superiority of the combination of ATRA and chemotherapy over chemotherapy alone in newly diagnosed APL, and that ATRA should be incorporated in the front-line treatment of APL.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Additional chromosomal abnormalities in patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) do not confer poor prognosis: results of APL 93 trial.

In spite of the recent improvement in the outcome of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) with treatment combining all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy (CT), some patients with this disease still have a poor outcome. The prognostic significance of chromosomal abnormalities in addition to t(15;17) in APL is uncertain. We examined the prognostic significance of secondary chromosomal changes in 292 patients included in a European trial who were treated with ATRA and CT. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in addition to t(15;17) was 26% and trisomy 8 was the most frequent secondary change (46% of the cases with secondary changes). No significant differences were seen with regard to age, sex, initial white blood cell count, % of circulating blasts, platelet count, fibrinogen level and incidence of microgranular variants between patients with or without additional rearrangements. Outcome was also similar between patients with t(15;17) alone and patients with t(15;17) and other clonal abnormalities for complete remission (92% vs. 93% respectively), event-free survival at 2 years (76.1% vs. 78.1% respectively), relapse at 2 years (16.7% vs. 11.6% respectively) and overall survival at 2 years (79.9% vs. 79.5% respectively). Analysis according to the type of induction treatment (ATRA followed by CT or ATRA plus CT) or the type of maintenance treatment (with ATRA, low-dose CT or both) also failed to show any difference between the two groups. Thus, in a large cohort of APL patients treated with ATRA and CT, additional chromosomal abnormalities had no impact on prognosis.

Adult↗

A one-year prospective study of nosocomial bacteraemia in ICU and non-ICU patients and its impact on patient outcome.

A one-year, prospective, two-observational cohort study was performed to evaluate the incidence and outcome in hospitalized patients (ICU and non-ICU) of nosocomial bacteraemia, and to assess its prognostic value in the ICU group. A group of 18 098 hospitalized patients and a group of 291 consecutive ICU patients were followed. Prognostic factors were determined using single and multivariable analyses. 109 (90 non-ICU and 19 ICU) patients developed 118 nosocomial bacteraemic episodes. The incidence of nosocomial bacteraemia was 6.0 per 1000 admissions (95% confidence interval (CI): 5-7%) and 65 per 1000 admissions in ICU patients (95% CI: 4.5-8.5%). Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were 63/133 (47%) and 70/133 (53%) of the isolated micro-organisms respectively. Crude mortality rates were 41/109 (38%) with adverse outcome associated with mechanical ventilation (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.4-9.2, P =0.01), neutropenia (OR: 7.7; 95% CI: 0.8-73.1;P =0.07) while gastro-intestinal surgery was associated with an improved outcome (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.16-0.96;P =0.04). Of the 291 ICU patients, 19 acquired 22 episodes of nosocomial bacteraemia, and 18 were referred from the wards with documented nosocomial bacteraemia. Of these 37 bacteraemic patients, 17 (46%) died. When adjusting for predictors of death (SAPS II>/=40, cardiac and neurological failure), nosocomial bacteraemia markedly influence the outcome in ICU patients (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.3-8.7;P =0.010). This study suggests that the outcome of nosocomial bacteraemia in hospitalized patients is poor in ventilated and neutropenic patients and that nosocomial bacteraemia per se influenced outcome in ICU patients.

Aged↗

Comparison of direct examination of three types of bronchoscopy specimens used to diagnose nosocomial pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare direct examination of bronchial aspirate and plugged telescopic catheter specimens (PTC) with infected cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia. DESIGN: Prospective study of critically ill patients. SETTING: Intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 64 patients hospitalized for >48 hrs with suspected nosocomial pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchial aspirate and quantitative protected specimen brush, PTC, and BAL cultures. PTC and bronchial aspirate specimens were Gram-stained. BAL specimens for infected cell counts were examined as described previously in the literature. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nosocomial pneumonia was diagnosed by the medical staff based on all available clinical, radiologic, laboratory test, and microbiological data and on the course before and after appropriate therapy. A total of 71% of patients were ventilated, and 70.1% were receiving antibiotics. Nosocomial pneumonia was diagnosed in 54% of the cases. On direct examination, sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of bronchial aspirate specimens were Se, 82% and Sp, 60%; of BAL with 5% infected cells, Se, 56% and Sp, 100%; of BAL with 3% infected cells, Se, 74% and Sp, 96%; of PTC specimens, Se, 65% and Sp, 76%; and of PTC specimens plus BAL with 3% infected cells, Se, 83% and Sp, 78%. BAL with 3% infected cells was significantly better for predicting nosocomial pneumonia than direct examination of bronchial aspirate or PTC specimens (p = .0012). When the BAL showed 3% infected cells, neither direct examination of bronchial aspirate nor direct examination of PTC specimens was useful (p = .24 and p = .38, respectively). Combined use of direct examination of PTC specimens plus BAL with 3% infected cells markedly improved sensitivity. The total cost of each procedure was taken into account for the final evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that BAL with 3% infected cells is currently the only test whose predictive value for nosocomial pneumonia is sufficiently high to be of use for guiding the initial choice of antimicrobial class while waiting for quantitative culture results.

Adult↗

Half the families of intensive care unit patients experience inadequate communication with physicians.

OBJECTIVE: Effective communication of simple, clear information to families of intensive care unit (ICU) patients is a vital component of quality care. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with poor comprehension by family members of the status of ICU patients. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University-affiliated medical intensive care unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 102 patients admitted to an ICU for >2 days. INTERVENTION: The representatives of 76 patients who were visited by at least one person during their ICU stay were interviewed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 54+/-17 yrs and mean Simplified Acute Physiology Score II at admission was 40+/-20. The representative was the spouse in 47 cases (62%). Among representatives, 25 (33%) were of foreign descent and 12 (16%) did not speak French. Mean duration of the first meeting with a physician was 10+/-6 mins. In 34 cases (54%), the representative failed to comprehend the diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of the patient. Factors associated with poor comprehension by representatives included patient-related, family-related, and physician-related factors. Patient-related factors included age <50 yrs (p = .03), unemployment (p = .01), referral from a hematology or oncology ward (p = .006), admission for acute respiratory failure (p = .005) or coma (p = .01), and a relatively favorable prognosis (p = .04). Family-related factors were foreign descent (p = .007), no knowledge of French (p = .03), representative not the spouse (p = .03), and no healthcare professional in the family (p = .01). Physician-related factors were first meeting with representative <10 mins (p = .03) and failure to give the representative an information brochure (p = .02). Moreover, after the first meeting, caregivers accurately predicted poor comprehension by representatives (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Patient information is frequently not communicated effectively to family members by ICU physicians. Physicians should strive to identify patients and families who require special attention and to determine how their personal style of interrelating with family members may impair communication.

Communication↗

Hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis: time to occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and death.

BACKGROUND: In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and cirrhosis, long term outcome and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still debated. DESIGN: From January 1987 to January 1997, 416 patients (240 male, median age 57 years) with uncomplicated Child-Pugh A HCV related cirrhosis were followed in two Paris area centres from diagnosis of cirrhosis until death or reference date (1 June 1998). The analysis used a three state disability model generalising the Cox model. RESULTS: Of the 416 patients, 60 developed HCC with a five year rate of 13.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0-17.8%) and 83 died (including 34 with HCC), with a five year death rate of 15.3% (95% CI 12.6-18.0%). By multivariable analysis, time to HCC relied on age (hazard ratio (HR) 1.05 per year; p=0.0005), male sex (HR 2.13; p=0.01), oesophageal varices (HR 2.36; p= 0.008), decreased platelet count (HR 0.99; p=0. 03), and bilirubin level (HR 1.01; p=0.003), while death after HCC was mainly related to tobacco consumption (HR 1.04; p=0.0006). In contrast, death free of HCC was dependent on age (HR 1.04; p=0.01), oesophageal varices (HR 2.75; p=0.001), low platelet count (HR 0.99; p=0.006), and albumin level (HR 0.90; p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of HCC and mortality should be higher in these patients than previously stated, and prognostic factors of HCC and death are closely related age and symptoms of portal hypertension.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗