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PubMed2000

Identification and management of tuberculosis.

Although the resurgence of tuberculosis in the early 1990s has largely been controlled, the risk of contracting this disease remains high in homeless persons, recent immigrants and persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Purified protein derivative testing should be targeted at these groups and at persons with known or suspected exposure to active tuberculosis. Most patients with latent tuberculosis are treated with isoniazid administered daily for nine months. In patients with active tuberculosis, the initial regimen should include four drugs for at least two months, with subsequent therapy determined by mycobacterial sensitivities and clinical response. To avoid harmful drug interactions, regimens that do not contain rifampin may be employed in HIV-infected patients who are taking protease inhibitors or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. To maximize compliance and minimize the emergence of mycobacterial drug resistance, family physicians should consider using directly observed therapy in all patients with tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Tuberculosis control strategy in the 21st century in Japan--for elimination of tuberculosis in Japan].

Modern tuberculosis control programme has been launched in 1951 by the major revision of the previous Tb. Control Law in Japan. Main control measures were BCG vaccination programme for tuberculin negatives, annual screening of Tb. by miniature radiophotography (MMR), charge free diagnosis and treatment of Tb. patients, registration and case-holding at Health Centres throughout the country and so on. Thanks to the efforts of the Government and people concerned, Tb. incidence has decreased with the annual reduction rate of 11% during 1961 and 1977. However, Tb. decrease has stagnated after that, and it is increasing slowly in these 3 years since 1998. Moreover, regional variations of Tb. incidence are considerable, and Tb. is concentrated in specific risk groups such as elderly persons, homeless, foreign born individuals and so on. However, the present Tb. Control measures were introduced prior to the discovery of most major anti-Tb. drugs and all modern internationally accepted Tb. Control strategies, so that it is strongly desired to improve the present control programme from rather classical present Tb. control measures to global standard one to overcome the resurgence of Tb. in Japan. At first, the author stressed that the priority of Tb. Control Programme should be changed according to the development of science and the change of epidemiological situations. BCG vaccination and Tb. screening by MMR might be very important when the annual risk of Tb. infection was very high--about 4% in 1950. Now it is around 0.05% and the incidence of Tb. among 0-14 years of age is 1.1 per 100,000 so that the priority should be given on treatment of the detected cases instead of BCG vaccination or MMR. The doctors in the public health field should give more strong concern on clinical aspects of Tb. Control Programme at present. It was considered that the main urgent problems to be improved in the present Tb. control measures are as follows. 1. It is strongly recommended to spread the global standard regimen with 2HRZE/4HR (E) more widely and rapidly. Because the standard regimen is used in only 50% of new smear positive cases at present although 15.3% of Tb. patients are 80 years or more, or 56.3% of them are 60 years or more, and the side effects by PZA are higher among elderly patients. 2. Shortening of the hospitalization duration is required because 76.7% of newly detected bacilli positive cases are hospitalized at first, and the median of the period of hospitalization is 4 months, and 18.4% of them are hospitalized 6 months or more at present. 3. DOT treatment has been introduced for special groups in the big cities in 2000 for the first time in Japan, but it is needed to spread DOT treatment more widely, for example, by increasing health insurance payment for the institutions where DOT treatment is being implemented. 4. It is recommended to build special rooms to accept Tb. patient at general hospitals and/or university hospitals to avoid the neglect of Tb. by general medical doctors. 5. Follow-up of Tb. patients after treatment completion at Health Centres is not needed now, because the relapse rate is so low. 6. Indiscriminative screening programme for all the people aged 19 years old or more should be stopped, at least up to 39 years of age, because Tb. detection rate has become so low as 0.0069% at present. As Tb. decrease is so slow, or is increasing in some areas, that the contact surveys among the young aged 20 to 39 should be strengthened in the future. 7. As Japan Anti-Tb. Association is being carrying out mass screening programme extensively at present, so that the Association has started to discuss the future health check system. Because of the rapid and constant increase of the lung cancer, the Association is discussing the method to detect the lung cancer, too. In any way, it is needed to focus the screening programme for special high risk groups instead of indiscriminative screening. 8. BCG vaccination for infants should be continued a little more, because BCG vaccination can protect the development of 7 miliary Tb. and/or meningitis cases during 15 years if BCG is given 70% of the infants in 2000. However, it was strongly recommended to stop re-vaccination of BCG, because it is not so effective, and disturb the diagnosis of Tb. infection by tuberculin testing. 9. Treatment of latent Tb. infection will become more and more important, so that it's indication should be expanded to the adults in the future instead of the present indication up to 29 years of age. It is needed to revise Tuberculosis Control Low to improve control programme in Japan. The author hoped that the members of Japan Tuberculosis Society will promote the improvement and to support the Government to improve the Law.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

[Tuberculosis in the Czech Republic in the year 2000].

BACKGROUND: Incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the Czech Republic (CR) during the year 2000 was evaluated on the basis of newly detected cases as well the restriction of known TB sources by antituberculosis treatment. Data from compulsory reported TB cases in the TB register for the year 2000 were used as well as data from the analysis of treatment in cohorts of patients reported quarterly in 1999 and evaluated 12 months later. METHODS AND RESULTS: 1442 cases of new diseases and TB relapses were reported in 2000 (14.1/100,00). 1244 cases (12.1/100,000) were TB of the respiratory system, 198 cases (2.0/100,000) belonged to the extra-respiratory TB. 61.9% of cases were bacteriologically verified TB of the respiratory system. In comparison with the year 1999, the number of TB cases was lower by 11.7%, respectively by 9.3% in TB of the respiratory system. The positive trend in TB incidence recorded in CR since 1998 has continued. From 1442 cases of the TB, 916 were males (63.5%) and 526 females (36.5%). Majority of patients was older than 65 years. 143 (9.9%) of TB cases were patients born extra CR ("foreigners"), namely coming from Ukraine (41), Vietnam (16), and Romania (14). 74 patients died of tuberculosis, mostly those older than 65 years. The youngest was the 24-year-old Ukrainian and a 38 year old homeless person, the citizen of CR. The highest incidence of TB was in West Bohemia, in Prague and in North Moravia; the lowest incidence was in South Moravia and in South Bohemia. TB was identified because of patient's troubles (68.0%), in the risk groups (13.3%), and by examination of contact persons (4.7%). Other mycobacteriosis than TB was identified in 92 patients. The treatment was evaluated in 606 persons with the pulmonary TB, which was bacteriologically verified; analysis was done in cohorts of patients reported quarterly in 1999. 70.1 to 77.5% of patients in individual cohorts were successfully treated, in 3 patients the treatment failed and 9 patients interrupted the treatment. Remaining 25% of patients either died before or during the treatment. The high mortality rate resulted from the high age and other diseases in some of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: WHO includes CR between countries with low TB incidence. Within the stabile population of CR the continuous decrease of TB incidence should continue, unless some unfavourable effects occur.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Broadening perspectives on mobile medical outreach to homeless people.

Using data collected by Project Renewal's mobile medical services to homeless people in New York City, this paper discusses a tension between an emergency medicine model of outreach and that of primary care. In the former model, clinicians evaluate clients on the basis of presenting complaints and refer them, as necessary, for specialized treatment. The latter is a broader model of comprehensive outreach and/or treatment, where clinicians screen clients and assess them for various conditions offering ongoing evaluation and treatment on site. The model of outreach is applicable for some homeless clients, but the prevalence and overlap of physical complaints, infectious diseases, substance abuse, and psychiatric symptoms among homeless people in New York City has resulted in an evolution toward broader approaches to outreach in this population. Improvements in diagnostic testing and increasingly portable medical technology may make the mobile delivery of medical care to homeless persons increasingly feasible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Public health dispatch: tuberculosis outbreak in a homeless population--Portland, Maine, 2002-2003.

During June 2002-July 2003, seven men with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease in Portland, Maine, were reported to the Maine Bureau of Health (MBH). Six were linked through residence at homeless shelters; four had matching Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes. Prompt investigation and identification of approximately 1,100 contacts likely prevented further spread of TB. This report summarizes preliminary results of the ongoing investigation and MBH efforts to work with health-care providers statewide to improve early detection of TB among homeless persons.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Health screening for the homeless.

The primary purpose of the project described in this paper is to detect actual or potential health problems in homeless persons and to help them gain entry into the public health care domain. A second purpose is to expose nursing students to a broader spectrum of patient needs than those encountered in traditional clinical settings. The community outreach program (COP) is based at a large southern university, where the nursing care center serves as executor of the project. The manuscript discusses funding, data collection, and future plans for the community outreach project.

Community Health Centers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[About the so-called "Geserick sign"].

Geserick et al. were the first who reported about fractures of the medial and basal wall of the orbita, originating from blunt occipital trauma leading to consecutive contrecoup lesions of the bulbus/orbita complex. A case history with (survived) occipital craniocerebral trauma and monocle hematoma (48-year-old drunken homeless person, found unconscious in a small street of the redlight quarter) is presented. The question was whether the injuries were caused by falling or inflicted by an assailant.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The nutritional status and dietary adequacy of single homeless women and their children in shelters.

Data were collected on the nutrient intake and nutritional status of 96 single mothers and their 192 dependent children who had been displaced from their homes. The objective of the study was to provide information on the dietary adequacy of a newly identified subgroup of homeless persons, single women and their dependent children. Once situated in temporary housing, those participating in the study indicated that they believed that they were receiving sufficient food. However, a nutrient analysis found that the study subjects in all age groups were consuming less than 50 percent of the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for iron, magnesium, zinc, and folic acid. Adults were consuming less than 50 percent of the RDA for calcium. The type and amounts of fats consumed were in higher than desirable quantities for a significant number of subjects of all ages. The health risk factors of iron deficiency anemia, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia were prevalent. The findings indicate a need to examine and remedy nutrient intake deficiencies among single women who are heads of household and their dependent children in temporary housing situations. Diet-related conditions found included low nutrient intakes that may affect child growth and development, risk factors associated with chronic disease, and lack of appropriate foods and knowledge of food preparation methods in shelter situations. Applicable, understandable nutrition education should be offered mothers in shelter situations to help them make food choices at the shelter and when they become self-sufficient. Assistance programs such as the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and food stamps, should be available to this group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Management of active tuberculosis.

Although the overall incidence of tuberculosis has been declining in the United States, it remains an important public health concern, particularly among immigrants, homeless persons, and persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Patients who present with symptoms of active tuberculosis (e.g., cough, weight loss, or malaise with known exposure to the disease) should be evaluated. Three induced sputum samples for acid-fast bacillus smear and culture should be obtained from patients with findings of tuberculosis or suspicion for active disease. If the patient has manifestations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, smears and cultures should be obtained from these sites. Most patients with active tuberculosis should be treated initially with isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for eight weeks, followed by 18 weeks of treatment with isoniazid and rifampin if needed. Repeat cultures should be performed after the initial eight-week treatment.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

[Tuberculosis-controlling measures among the populations of increased study complexity and epidemic significance].

The obtained data confirm the epidemic significance and study complexity of populations with the limited fluorographic capacities, homeless persons and residents of inaccessible settlements of the Far North, as well as the necessity of applying special approaches to delivering antituberculous aid in these groups. A system has been developed for the epidemiological surveillance and detection of tuberculosis in the populations of increased study complexity and epidemic significance.

Ill-Housed Persons↗
PubMed2006

A randomized controlled trial of two treatment programs for homeless adults with latent tuberculosis infection.

SETTING: Few studies have examined strategies for optimizing adherence to latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment programs in homeless populations. OBJECTIVES: 1) To compare the effectiveness of an intervention program employing nurse case management and incentives (NCMI) vs. a control program with standard care and incentives on completion of LTBI treatment; and 2) to compare the impact of the two programs on tuberculosis (TB) knowledge among participants. DESIGN: A prospective, two-group site-randomized design conducted among 520 homeless adults residing in the Skid Row region of Los Angeles from 1998 to 2003, assessing completion rates of a 6-month isoniazid (INH) treatment program and change in TB knowledge. RESULTS: Using intent-to-treat analysis, 62% of participants in the intervention program, compared with 39% of controls, completed the full 6-month course of LTBI treatment with INH. Logistic regression modeling revealed that intervention participants had three times greater odds of completing INH treatment than controls. TB knowledge improved in both programs, but the increase was greater among the intervention participants (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nurse case management combined with education, incentives, and tracking dramatically improves both adherence to LTBI treatment and TB knowledge in homeless persons compared to a standard approach of outreach and incentives.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Organization of hospital care to patients with tuberculosis concurrent with HIV infection in Tuberculosis care hospital No. seven].

HIV-infection morbidity rates continue to increase in Moscow, the Moscow Region, and in the whole country. The epidemiological situation associated with tuberculosis concurrent with HIV infection remains tense in Moscow and its region, as judged from the data of an analysis of this disease at tuberculosis hospital seven (TH-7) over 9 years. A total of 411 patients with tuberculosis concurrent with HIV infection were treated at TH-7 in 1996 to December 2004. Among them, 49.6% were Moscow residents, 15.1 and 26.5% of the patients lived in the Moscow Region and other regions of the Russian Federation, respectively; 6.8% were homeless persons and 2% foreigners. The number of patients with tuberculosis concurrent with HIV infection has been annually increasing at TH-7. Among the total number of patients, their proportion was 13.4% in 2004. In the structure of patients with comorbidity, the proportion of surgical patients has been on the rise and it was 51.8% in 2004. Among the surgical patients with tuberculosis concurrent with HIV, the proportion of patients with generalized (multiple organ) tuberculosis has increased; it was 50% in 2004. Patients with tuberculosis concurrent with HIV infection need a greater scope of surgical interventions al number of patients for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults.

OBJECTIVES: Homelessness is associated with increased hospital costs and length of stay, and medical or surgical conditions are typically complicated by secondary diagnoses of substance abuse or mental illness. Convalescence care to provide timely treatment has not been analyzed. This is a retrospective study of diagnoses and utility of shelter-based convalescence in a cohort of homeless subjects. METHODS: A 20-bed shelter-based unit providing up to 3 months stay post hospital discharge, or for treatment of addictions or for those too ill to remain in the general shelter was studied. Charting was by the use of an electronic health record developed for the project. Demographics, reason for admission and outcomes are retrospectively described. RESULTS: 140 men had 181 admissions from July 2000-April 2003; 23.8% were post hospital discharge, 57.4% were from the general shelter. Average length of stay was 40 days. 83.4% were treated for a medical or surgical condition, 83.6% for psychiatric disease and 29.8% for addictions. Medication adherence was >80% in the majority. During admission, 20% obtained a new health card, 43.6% a new drug card, 89.3% received transportation to appointments, 60% applied for housing and 24.3% obtained housing. CONCLUSION: A shelter-based convalescence unit can provide health care to homeless persons, treat medical and mental illness, ensure adherence to treatment regimes, decrease substance abuse and assist with housing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Social aspects of the problem of suppurative surgical diseases].

The case records of 259 patients with purulent surgical diseases are analysed. The following social groups of patients were distinguished; students--10.4%, office workers--20.5%, factory and agricultural workers--35.9%, lonely pensioners, invalids, and homeless persons--33.2%. The last named group is least socially protected, and the diseases in these cases have a characteristic course and outcomes. In the groups of students and office workers the disease is predominantly marked by the formation of abscesses with rapid resolution after an operative intervention. In the socially unprotected group with somatic diseases, poor nutrition, and absence of care, the purulent process takes a phlegmanous course calling for the use of antibiotics and immunostimulators. The percentage of rehospitalization among these patients is high (up to 20%) due, in many respects, to social factors.

Abscess↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Applications of data from the CDC Family of Surveys.

The CDC Family of Surveys is a national serologic surveillance system set up to characterize the extent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States. The now Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and participating State and local health departments began the system in 1987. HIV seroprevalence data are collected by unlinked (anonymous) surveys of particular components of the population that include childbearing women; clients of sexually transmitted disease clinics; injecting drug users; tuberculosis patients; and several special populations, such as adolescents, prisoners, and homeless persons. The data obtained have been used extensively on both national and local levels to assist HIV-prevention programs. Data from the surveys have been used to identify specific demographic groups at risk for HIV infection so that health education programs may be planned and made available to them in clinical settings. Local serosurvey results have been used in planning and implementing prevention programs and in planning health services for HIV-positive persons. The completeness, or coverage, of HIV counseling and testing programs has been evaluated by comparing seroprevalences among clients tested voluntarily with those tested in the unlinked survey. Survey data are used in formulating recommendations and standards of care for health practitioners, in allocating resources, and in carrying out long-range planning for HIV prevention and treatment services for at-risk groups. Such data are essential to the decision-making process in forming public health policy and recommending practices involving the HIV epidemic.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed1997

[Analysis of tuberculosis mortality dynamics in Sverdlovsk region in 1995-96].

Among the deceased in the Sverdlovsk Region in 1995 - 1996 there was a larger proportion of males and individuals aged over 40 years, unemployed, homeless persons, patients with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis, concomitant diseases and a smaller proportion of those with prolonged pulmonary tuberculosis, its fibrocavernous type, persons who died from secondary nonspecific changes and complications of the tuberculosis process. Today the most common causes of premature death due to tuberculosis are in patients' refusal of treatment, systemic incompliance, a severe concomitant disease, contraindications for surgical treatment, drug resistance to tuberculostatic agents, drug shortage, late referral for medical aid and long-term evasion of prophylactic surveys for tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of clinicians' housing recommendations and preferences of homeless mentally ill persons.

Housing recommendations made by two clinicians for 86 homeless mentally ill consumers were compared with the consumers' own housing preferences. Clinicians recommended independent living much less often than did the consumers. The two groups varied less on specific housing features such as eagerness for consumers to leave the shelter and consumers' need for part-time staff help. Only one of the clinicians took into account some aspects of social background and health status in formulating housing recommendations. The authors conclude that housing providers should encourage clinicians to work together with consumers to identify appropriate placements.

Activities of Daily Living↗