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T Perneger

Publications and source records attributed to T Perneger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Adding a dialysis dose to continuous hemofiltration increases survival in patients with acute renal failure.

Acute renal failure (ARF) in critically ill patients is associated with high mortality. Optimal method and dose of continuous renal replacement therapy could improve survival in these patients. We studied the hypothesis that an increase in dialysis dose obtained by continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) is associated with a better survival than continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) among critically ill patients with ARF. In a prospective randomized trial, these two methods were compared in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy in two intensive care units (ICUs). The patients had either CVVH (1-2.5 l/h replacement fluid) or continuous CVVHDF (1-2.5 l/h replacement fluid+1-1.5 l/h dialysate) according to their body weight. 28- and 90-day mortalities, renal recovery, and duration of ICU stay were the main outcome measures. Two hundred and six patients were randomized from October 2000 to December 2003. Twenty-eight-day survivals (%) were, respectively, 39 and 59 (P=0.03) in the CVVH and CVVHDF groups. Three months survivals (%) were, respectively, 34 and 59 (P=0.0005) in the CVVH and CVVHDF groups. Apache II score, age, baseline blood urea nitrogen, and hemodiafiltration (hazard ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.40-0.87; P=0.008) were independent predictors of survival at 90 days. Renal recovery rate among survivors (71 versus 78% in the CVVH and CVVHDF groups respectively, P=0.62) was not affected by the type of renal replacement therapy. These results suggest that increasing the dialysis dose especially for low molecular weight solutes confers a better survival in severely ill patients with ARF.

APACHE↗
PubMed2005

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A polymorphisms as risk factors for miscarriage during a first intended pregnancy: the matched case-control 'NOHA first' study.

Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A (FIIG20210A) mutations are associated with a higher risk of miscarriage: we sought to understand whether this association differs by clinical time of unexplained miscarriage, and by ethnic origin, among women with no previous thrombotic episode, during the first intended pregnancy. We performed a case-control study nested in a cohort of 32 683 women. We analyzed 3496 pairs of women matched for classical confounding factors. The FVL and FIIG20210A mutations were associated with an increased risk of miscarriage in Caucasian women [odds ratio (OR) 3.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.37-4.30, P < 0.001 and OR 2.36, 95% CI, 1.72-3.24, P < 0.001, respectively]. Among non-Caucasian women, the mutations were rare and the associations with risk of miscarriage less clear. FVL and FIIG20210A mutations were independent risk factors for miscarriages only for women with related clinical signs occurring from the 10th week of gestation on (OR 3.46, 95% CI 2.53-4.72, P < 0.001 and OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.86-3.64, P < 0.001, respectively). These results indicate that FVL and FIIG20210A mutations are associated with a significant risk of spontaneous abortion which clinical signs occur from the 10th week on of the first intended pregnancy.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2004

[The COPD-PE study: prevalence and prediction of pulmonary embolism in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

INTRODUCTION: Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often admitted to hospital with an exacerbation of their disease that manifests itself with an increase in cough and/or sputum, increased dyspnoea and sometimes chest pain. These episodes are most often attributed to an acute exacerbation of bronchial infection but the real cause is often unknown. COPD is considered a risk factor for pulmonary embolism (PE) and PE is part of the differential diagnosis of an acute exacerbation of COPD. However, the symptoms of these two conditions overlap to a considerable extent and the investigation of PE is often ignored in these patients. Therefore the true prevalence of PE in this situation is unknown. Nevertheless several small series suggest that up to 30% of patients seen as emergencies with exacerbations of COPD may have a deep vein thrombosis or PE. The aims of this study are therefore: 1. To evaluate the prevalence of PE in patients admitted as emergencies with exacerbations of COPD; and 2. To attempt to develop a prediction guide for PE in this population in order to identify the patients in whom PE should be investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 600 consecutive patients admitted as emergencies with exacerbations of COPD will be included in a cross sectional study in three university hospitals (Geneva and Lausanne in Switzerland, and Amiens in France). Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be investigated by a diagnostic algorithm appropriate for the study of PE, including D-dimer levels and, in those with abnormal results, ultrasonic scan of the deep veins of the legs and spiral CT scan. The patient characteristics on admission will be incorporated in a multivariate regression analysis in an attempt to identify the predictive factors for PE in these patients. The expected duration of the study is 24 months. EXPECTED RESULTS: This study should determine the prevalence of PE in patients admitted as emergencies with exacerbations of COPD and therefore help decide when, and in which patients, a systematic search for PE should be undertaken.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Suspicion of pulmonary embolism in outpatients: nonspecific chest pain is the most frequent alternative diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Several recent studies have focused on identifying clinical predictors of embolism. However, although pulmonary embolism is ruled out in 70-85% of the patients in whom it is suspected, data on the clinical characteristics and discharge diagnosis of such patients are scarce. Our aim was to evaluate whether clinical characteristics would allow predicting alternative diagnoses other than pulmonary embolism thereby ruling out venous thromboembolism. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Emergency centres of two teaching and general hospitals. SUBJECTS: A total of 1090 consecutive outpatients admitted for clinically suspected pulmonary embolism and a diagnosis established by a validated algorithm and a 3-month follow-up. OUTCOMES: Discharge diagnoses of patients in whom pulmonary embolism was ruled out were identified and regrouped into two categories: (i) nonspecific chest pain and (ii) diagnosis other than pulmonary embolism. Predictive accuracy of clinical and laboratory variables for diagnosing nonspecific chest pain was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In patients without pulmonary embolism, nonspecific chest pain (parietal chest pain, chest pain of unknown origin and pleuritis) was the most frequent discharge diagnosis (n = 334, 31% of the entire cohort, 43% of the patients without pulmonary embolism). Other patients without pulmonary embolism had a wide variety of diagnoses, of which the most frequent were bronchopneumonia (6.0% of the entire cohort) and heart failure (5.2%). In the multivariate analysis, seven variables were strongly associated with nonspecific chest pain: younger age (below 40 years), female gender, respiratory rate below 20 min(-1), heart rate below 100 min(-1), and absence of recent immobilization, dyspnoea and haemoptysis. Two of the 24 patients in whom all those characteristics were present had pulmonary embolism (8%, 95% CI 3-22%). CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent discharge diagnosis in emergency ward patients in whom pulmonary embolism is ruled out is nonspecific chest pain. A clinical model did not allow to predict nonspecific chest pain with enough accuracy to rule out pulmonary embolism without further testing. Whether a more precise characterization of chest pain might allow an accurate identification of such patients deserves further study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Clinical prediction rules: a reader's guide].

INTRODUCTION: Clinical prediction rules or scores are instruments that allow to quantify the respective contributions of medical history, clinical examination and laboratory tests to a diagnosis or a prognosis in a given patient. STATE OF THE ART: The development of clinical prediction rules requires three steps: 1) derivation of the rule from a population with known clinical characteristics and diagnosis or prognosis; 2) validation of the rule in a population distinct from the derivation sample; and 3) evaluation of the impact of the rule on clinician behavior and patient outcomes. PERSPECTIVES: This paper provides a guide for the critical appraisal of a prediction rule illustrated by two clinical scores for the assessment of the clinical probability of pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical prediction rules or scores have become indispensable components of the clinician's toolbox.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in unselected patients with venous thromboembolism.

We determined the prevalence of factor V Leiden and of prothrombin G20210A mutations in a cohort of unselected outpatients (n = 748) referred for suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) and a pooled analysis of similar studies was also performed. Based on the clinical presentation, the prevalence of factor V Leiden was 15.7% in the 83 patients with DVT and 14.1% in the 99 patients with PE compared with 5.3% in patients without DVT and/or PE (control group). The prevalence of the prothrombin G20210A mutation did not differ among the three groups (3.9% for controls, 4. 8% for DVT and 3.9% for PE patients). We then divided the 99 patients with PE by separately analysing those with PE but without DVT (n = 57) and those with PE and DVT (n = 42). Compared with the control group, the prevalence of factor V Leiden was 10.5%, odds ratio (OR) 2.10 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.68-5.45] in patients with primary PE and 19.1%, OR 4.20 (95% CI 1.54-10.30) in patients with DVT and PE. For the prothrombin G20210A mutation, no statistically significant differences were found between the control group and the three other groups. In conclusion, our data and the pooled analysis indicate that patients with primary PE are less often affected by the factor V Leiden mutation. No statistically significant differences were observed between patients and controls for the prothrombin G20210A mutation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Risk of major bleeding in unselected patients with venous thromboembolism.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk of major bleeding in unselected patients given anticoagulant treatment (heparin overlapped and followed by oral anticoagulants) because of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We screened the database of 1590 outpatients suspected of DVT and PE in prospective diagnostic studies conducted in Geneva between 1992 and 1998. RESULTS: Four hundred and eleven of 1590 patients (26%) were anticoagulated for confirmed venous thromboembolism (PE, 300; DVT, 111). One patient was excluded because of concomitant thrombolytic therapy. Five (1.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-2.8) of the remaining 410 patients experienced a major hemorrhagic event during the 3-month follow-up, including two fatal events. All bleedings occurred during the first month of therapy (heparin, two; oral anticoagulants, two; combined treatment, one) and the median age of the patients who bled was 80 years. At least one serious comorbid condition associated with higher bleeding risk was present in four patients and, in one case, the bleeding was clearly related to an excessive intensity of anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: The rate of bleeding events in this population of unselected outpatients is similar to that reported in controlled therapeutic trials. The hemorrhagic events occurred early in the course of anticoagulant therapy and concerned old patients mostly affected by at least one comorbid condition. Particular care should be used to avoid the risk of overtreatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Metformin treatment leads to an increase in basal, but not insulin-stimulated, glucose disposal in obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance.

AIMS: This study was initiated to test the hypothesis that metformin treatment leads to enhanced glucose disposal at ambient insulin concentrations. METHODS: Nineteen obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were treated with either metformin or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Insulin secretion and insulin resistance were quantified using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal were measured by determining the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG). RESULTS: The average benefit of metformin was 0.6 mmol/l for glucose (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2-0.9 P = 0.002), 2.8 pmol/l for insulin (95% CI 0.2-5.4, P = 0.019). Insulin resistance, as quantified by HOMA, was improved by 1.1 (95% CI 0.2-2.0, P = 0.004), without any change in insulin secretion. Basal and insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation were comparable in the placebo and metformin-treated groups at the end of each treatment period, as was the SSPG concentration. However, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures fell significantly following metformin administration as compared to treatment with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that metformin administration to patients with IGT is associated with enhanced glucose disposal at baseline insulin concentrations and a fall in blood pressure. In contrast, neither glucose oxidation nor glucose disposal were increased in association with metformin treatment under conditions of physiological hyperinsulinaemia.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1999

Short-term impact of a university based smoke free campaign.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a smoke free programme implemented at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, in 1996. This programme included a prohibition to smoke in university buildings everywhere except in limited areas, and a smoking cessation counselling service. METHODS: Surveys were conducted before and four months after the programme was implemented, in representative samples of programme participants (n = 833) and university members not exposed to the programme (n = 1023). RESULTS: In retrospective assessments, participants reported being less bothered by environmental tobacco smoke after programme implementation, but no between group difference was detected in prospective assessments. Relationships between smokers and non-smokers improved moderately in the intervention group and remained unchanged in the comparison group (between group p = 0.001). Proportions of smokers who attempted to quit smoking in the past four months increased from 2.0% to 3.8% in the intervention group and remained unchanged at 3.5% in the comparison group (between group difference: p = 0.048). No impact on smoking prevalence (25%) was detected. The programme was appreciated by university members, although some of its modalities were criticised. CONCLUSION: A regulation prohibiting smoking everywhere but in limited areas of university buildings was acceptable and reduced the perception of bother by environmental tobacco smoke. It did not, however, influence smoking habits or attitudes toward smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Superficial vein thrombosis of lower limbs: influence of factor V Leiden, factor II G20210A and overweight.

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) has been reported in patients with thrombophilia. In the present unmatched case-control study, the two most common thrombophilic abnormalities (factor V Leiden and factor II G20210A) were searched for in 112 consecutive patients with SVT of lower limbs and in 180 healthy donors. FV Leiden was present in 16/112 (14.3%) SVT patients and 11/180 (6.1%) controls (odds ratio 2.51, 95% CI 1.04-6.24) and FII G20210A in 4/112 (3.6%) patients and 2/180 (1.1%) controls (OR 3.28, 95% CI 0.46-36.84). In addition, body mass index (BMI) > or =28 kg/m2 was also associated with SVT (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.60-5.00). After adjustment for BMI > or =28 kg/m2, the association between FV Leiden and SVT remained strong though no longer statistically significant. Among patients with SVT, the presence of FV Leiden was independently associated with the absence of varicose veins (OR 4.62, 95% CI 1.25-18.0) and with a BMI > or =28 kg/m2 (OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.05-15.1). In conclusion, both FV Leiden and overweight seem to predispose to SVT, a finding that should be confirmed in larger studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Availability and quality of necessary data for establishing health assessment in the canton of Geneva: implications for the monitoring of the development of problems and impact of health policies].

The global health assessment of the population of the canton of Geneva, based on the WHO's 38 "Health-for-ALL" targets, shown several gaps in the health information system. The quality of the available data is discussed in regard of various criteria (type of statistics, representativeness, frequency of data collection, diffusion, comparability, concern for validation). Two examples are presented: 1.) The incidence of low birthweight shows how a hospital-based statistics indicator can accurately reflect a trend over time, but provide a biased estimation of a risk level. 2.) The evolution of several indicators concerning drug consumption shows how important it is to validate these indicators in order to allow an adequate interpretation. Such a validation is seldom made. The present situation could be improved by a more efficient structure of the canton's health statistics.

Data Collection↗