Statins and outcomes in patients with pneumonia: appreciating bias and precision in study.
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Bias↗
Biomedical subjects
Arno W Hoes
Publications and source records attributed to Arno W Hoes.
Added value of a physician-and-nurse-directed heart failure clinic: results from the Deventer-Alkmaar heart failure study.
AIM: To determine whether an intensive intervention at a heart failure (HF) clinic by a combination of a clinician and a cardiovascular nurse, both trained in HF, reduces the incidence of hospitalisation for worsening HF and/or all-cause mortality (primary end point) and improves functional status (including left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and quality of life) in patients with NYHA class III or IV. SETTING: Two regional teaching hospitals in The Netherlands. METHODS: 240 patients were randomly allocated to the 1-year intervention (n = 118) or usual care (n = 122). The intervention consisted of 9 scheduled patient contacts-at day 3 by telephone, and at weeks 1, 3, 5, 7 and at months 3, 6, 9 and 12 by a visit-to a combined, intensive physician-and-nurse-directed HF outpatient clinic, starting within a week after hospital discharge from the hospital or referral from the outpatient clinic. Verbal and written comprehensive education, optimisation of treatment, easy access to the clinic, recommendations for exercise and rest, and advice for symptom monitoring and self-care were provided. Usual care included outpatient visits initialized by individual cardiologists in the cardiology departments involved and applying the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. RESULTS: During the 12-month study period, the number of admissions for worsening HF and/or all-cause deaths in the intervention group was lower than in the control group (23 vs 47; relative risk (RR) 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30 to 0.81; p = 0.001). There was an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the intervention group (plus 2.6%) compared with the usual care group (minus 3.1%; p = 0.004). Patients in the intervention group were hospitalised for a total of 359 days compared with 644 days for those in the usual care group. Beneficial effects were also observed on NYHA classification, prescription of spironolactone, maximally reached dose of beta-blockers, quality of life, self-care behaviour and healthcare costs. CONCLUSION: A heart failure clinic involving an intensive intervention by both a clinician and a cardiovascular nurse substantially reduces hospitalisations for worsening HF and/or all-cause mortality and improves functional status, while decreasing healthcare costs, even in a country with a primary-care-based healthcare system.
Aged↗
Antibiotics for acute otitis media: a meta-analysis with individual patient data.
BACKGROUND: Individual trials to test effectiveness of antibiotics in children with acute otitis media have been too small for valid subgroup analyses. We aimed to identify subgroups of children who would and would not benefit more than others from treatment with antibiotics. METHODS: We did a meta-analysis of data from six randomised trials of the effects of antibiotics in children with acute otitis media. Individual patient data from 1643 children aged from 6 months to 12 years were validated and re-analysed. We defined the primary outcome as an extended course of acute otitis media, consisting of pain, fever, or both at 3-7 days. FINDINGS: Significant effect modifications were noted for otorrhoea, and for age and bilateral acute otitis media. In children younger than 2 years of age with bilateral acute otitis media, 55% of controls and 30% on antibiotics still had pain, fever, or both at 3-7 days, with a rate difference between these groups of -25% (95% CI -36% to -14%), resulting in a number-needed-to-treat (NNT) of four children. We identified no significant differences for age alone. In children with otorrhoea the rate difference and NNT, respectively, were -36% (-53% to -19%) and three, whereas in children without otorrhoea the equivalent values were -14% (-23% to -5%) and eight. INTERPRETATION: Antibiotics seem to be most beneficial in children younger than 2 years of age with bilateral acute otitis media, and in children with both acute otitis media and otorrhoea. For most other children with mild disease an observational policy seems justified.
Acute Disease↗
In-hospital cardiac arrest is associated with use of non-antiarrhythmic QTc-prolonging drugs.
AIMS: QTc interval-prolonging drugs have been linked to cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and sudden death. In this study we aimed to quantify the risk of cardiac arrest associated with the use of non-antiarrhythmic QTc-prolonging drugs in an academic hospital setting. METHODS: We performed a case-control study in which patients, for whom intervention of the advanced life support resuscitation team was requested for cardiac arrest between 1995 and 2003 in the Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, were compared with controls regarding current use of non-antiarrhythmic QTc-prolonging drugs. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A statistically significant increased risk of cardiac arrest (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2, 3.5) was observed in patients who received QTc-prolonging drugs (42/140). The risk was more pronounced in patients receiving doses > 1 defined daily dose (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1, 5.9), patients taking > 1 QTc-prolonging drug simultaneously (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.6, 14) and patients taking pharmacokinetic interacting drugs concomitantly (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.2, 13). CONCLUSIONS: Use of non-antiarrhythmic QTc-prolonging drugs in hospitalized patients with several underlying disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrest. The effect is dose related and pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions increase the risk substantially. Physicians caring for inpatients should be made aware of the fact that these non-antiarrhythmic drugs may be hazardous, so that potential risks can be weighed against treatment benefits and additional cardiac surveillance can be requested, if necessary.
Aged↗
Upper abdominal ultrasound in general practice: indications, diagnostic yield and consequences for patient management.
BACKGROUND: Abdominal ultrasound (US) is frequently performed in Western societies. There is insufficient knowledge of its diagnostic value in terms of changes in patient management decisions in primary care. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of upper abdominal US on patient management in general practice. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with 76 GPs and three general hospitals in The Netherlands. A total of 395 patients aged >or=18 years referred by their GPs for upper abdominal US were included. The main outcome was change in anticipated patient management assessed by means of questionnaires filled in by GPs before and after abdominal US. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 54.0 +/- 15.8 years, 35% were male. Clinically relevant abnormalities were found in 29% of the abdominal US, mainly cholelithiasis. Anticipated patient management changed in 64% of the patients following abdominal US. Main changes included fewer referrals to a medical specialist (from 45 to 30%); and more frequent reassurance of the patient (from 15 to 43%). However, this reassurance was not perceived as such in almost 40% of these patients. A change in anticipated patient management occurred significantly more frequently in patients with a prior cholecystectomy (82%). CONCLUSION: Anticipated patient management by the GP changed in 64% of patients following upper abdominal US. Abdominal US substantially reduced the number of intended referrals to a medical specialist, and more patients could be reassured by their GP.
Abdomen↗
Improving the quality and clinical relevance of diagnostic studies.
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Confidence Intervals↗
Benefits of influenza vaccine in US elderly--appreciating issues of confounding bias and precision.
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Aged↗
Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An ignored combination?
AIMS: To quantify the prevalence of heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and vice versa. Further, to discuss diagnostic and therapeutic implications of the co-existence of both syndromes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a Medline search from 1966 to March 2005. The reported prevalence of LVSD among COPD patients varied considerably, with the highest prevalence (10-46%) among those with an exacerbation. One single study assessed the prevalence of heart failure in COPD patients. A prevalence of 21% of previously unknown heart failure was reported in patients with a history of COPD or asthma. We did not find any report on COPD in heart failure or LVSD patients. Diagnosing heart failure in COPD patients or vice versa is complicated by overlap in signs and symptoms, and diminished diagnostic value of additional investigations. In general, pulmonary and heart failure 'drug cocktails' can be administered safely to patients with concomitant COPD and heart failure, although (short acting) beta2-adrenoreceptor agonists and digitalis have potentially deleterious effects on cardiac and pulmonary function, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although knowledge about the prevalence of concomitant heart failure in COPD patients and vice versa is scarce, it seems that the combined presence is rather common. In view of diagnostic and therapeutic implications, more attention should be paid to the concomitant presence of both syndromes in clinical practice and research.
Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
Pharmacogenetics of drug-induced arrhythmias: a feasibility study using spontaneous adverse drug reactions reporting data.
PURPOSE: The bottleneck in pharmacogenetic research on rare adverse drug reactions (ADR) is retrieval of patients. Spontaneous reports of ADRs may form a useful source of patients. We investigated the feasibility of a pharmacogenetic study, in which cases were selected from the database of a spontaneous reporting system for ADRs, using drug-induced arrhythmias as an example. METHODS: Reports of drug-induced arrhythmias to proarrhythmic drugs were selected from the database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre (1996-2003). Information on the patient's general practitioner (GP) was obtained from the original report, or from another health care provider who reported the event. GPs were contacted and asked to recruit the patient as well as two age, gender and drug matched controls. Patients were asked to fill a questionnaire and provide a buccal swab DNA sample through the mail. DNA samples were screened for 10 missense mutations in 5 genes associated with the congenital long-QT (LQT) syndrome (KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A, KCNE1, KCNE2). RESULTS: We identified 45 eligible cases, 29 GPs could be contacted of which seven were willing to participate. Four cases and five matched controls could be included in the study, giving an overall participation rate of 9% (4/45). The main reason for GPs not being willing to participate was lack of time. Variants were identified in KCNH2, SCN5A and KCNE1. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous reporting systems for ADRs may be used for pharmacogenetic research. The methods described, however, need to be improved to increase participation and international collaboration may be required.
Adult↗
Low prevalence of B-type natriuretic peptide levels < 100 pg/mL in patients with heart failure at hospital discharge.
BACKGROUND: In patients with acute heart failure (HF) presenting at the emergency department, a B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level < 100 pg/mL was found in only 10% of the patients. However, in a more stable outpatient HF population from another study, a BNP level < 100 pg/mL was found in as many as 21% of the patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of stabilized patients with BNP levels < 100 pg/mL before discharge after admission for decompensated heart failure HF. METHODS: We investigated 601 patients with HF who were part of a large-scale multicenter study in The Netherlands. All patients had been admitted for decompensated HF, and their BNP levels were measured before discharge when they had been clinically stabilized. Clinical characteristics of patients with BNP levels < 100 and > or = 100 pg/mL were compared. RESULTS: Patients were 70 +/- 12 years old, 61% were men, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.34 +/- 0.14. Of these patients, 10% had BNP levels < 100 pg/mL. Patients with a BNP level < 100 pg/mL were similar in age and sex but had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (0.41 +/- 0.14 vs 0.33 +/- 0.13, P < .001), body mass index, and hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations compared with those with BNP levels > or = 100 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: In clinically stable patients with a recent admission for decompensated HF, only 10% had BNP levels > or = 100 pg/mL. These patients with low BNP levels seemed to have less severe HF and more frequently had preserved systolic function compared with patients with BNP levels > or = 100 pg/mL.
Aged↗
Long-term effects of pediatric adenotonsillectomy on serum immunoglobulin levels: results of a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether pediatric adenotonsillectomy ultimately results in decreased serum immunoglobulin levels and if so whether such a decrease is associated with increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in serum immunoglobulin levels in relation to occurrence of URIs in children participating in a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: A total of 300 children aged 2 to 8 years, with symptoms of recurrent throat infections or tonsillar hypertrophy, were randomly assigned to either adenotonsillectomy or watchful waiting (WW). Serum samples were collected at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Occurrence of throat infections and other URIs during first-year follow-up was recorded in a diary by the child's parents. RESULTS: Paired serum samples were available for 123 children (63 in the adenotonsillectomy group and 60 in the WW group). IgG1 and IgG2 levels decreased but remained within the reference range for age in both study arms. IgM and IgA levels decreased as well but remained elevated. The IgA level in the adenotonsillectomy group decreased in significantly greater degree compared with the WW group, but this difference disappeared in cases where children experienced frequent URIs. In general, no relation between immunoglobulin levels and the number of throat infections or URIs at 1-year follow-up was found. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoglobulin levels of children undergoing adenotonsillectomy decreased from elevated to slightly elevated or reference values for age during 1-year follow-up irrespective of treatment (adenotonsillectomy or WW). IgA showed a greater decrease in the adenotonsillectomy group but rose to levels comparable with the WW group in cases of frequent URIs. This finding indicates that the remaining mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue can compensate for the loss of tonsil and adenoid tissue.
Adenoidectomy↗
The value of clinical findings and D-dimer tests in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis in primary care.
In primary care, the physician has to decide which patients with a suspicion of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) have to be referred for further diagnostic work-up. Accurate referral is of utmost importance because unrecognized and therefore untreated DVT may cause pulmonary embolism. The classic clinical findings are not sufficiently accurate for the diagnosis of DVT. The majority of the referred patients, 70 to 80%, do not have DVT and this puts a burden on both patients and health care budgets. Diagnosis in primary care is different from that in secondary care caused by the referral mechanism or spectrum difference. Diagnostic tests derived in secondary care, therefore, cannot simply be generalized to primary-care patients. The well-known diagnostic rule for DVT, the Wells rule, does not adequately rule out DVT in primary-care patients. A proper diagnostic rule for use in primary care is lacking; therefore, we investigated the data of 1,295 patients in primary care suspected of having DVT. We developed and validated a simple diagnostic decision rule to exclude the presence of DVT safely in primary care. Independent diagnostic indicators of the presence of DVT were male gender, oral contraceptive use, presence of malignancy, recent surgery, absence of leg trauma, vein distension, calf circumference difference, and D-dimer test result. Application of this rule could reduce the number of referrals by at least 23%, whereas only 0.7% of the patients with a DVT would not be referred. A diagnosis strategy is given, together with a practical flow diagram.
Female↗
Primary care management of respiratory tract infections in Dutch preschool children.
OBJECTIVE: To determine age-specific antibiotic prescription and referral rates in preschool children diagnosed with acute respiratory tract infection (RTI) in primary care. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Research database of the Netherlands University Medical Center Utrecht Primary Care Network. SUBJECTS: All children aged 0-5 years within the database were included, covering 1998 to 2002 (18,801 child-years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Antibiotic prescription and referral rates were determined as percentage of children with at least one prescription or referral within a year, as total number of prescriptions per 1000 child-years, and as percentage of all RTI episodes. RESULTS: Antibiotics, mostly beta-lactam (80%) and macrolides (16%), were prescribed in 35% of RTI episodes. Annually 13% of the children received at least one antibiotic following an RTI. Antibiotics were prescribed in more than half of episodes of LRTI, sinusitis, AOM, and acute tonsillitis, and in 12-15% of episodes of asthma exacerbation, acute laryngitis, influenza acute, and acute upper respiratory infection (including common cold and pharyngitis). Almost 98% of RTIs were managed in primary care. On average 1% of the children were referred to a paediatrician or ENT specialist following RTI per year, especially after AOM (59% of referrals). Compared with older children, those under two years of age were more often treated with antibiotics (relative risk [RR] 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6) and referred (RR 2.3; 95% CI 1.8-3.0). CONCLUSION: In the Netherlands most episodes of RTIs in preschool children were managed in primary care and this often involves prescription of antibiotics. Children younger than two years of age receive more often antibiotics for RTI and are also referred more, especially for AOM.
Acute Disease↗
Are patient characteristics helpful in recognizing mild COPD (GOLD I) in daily practice?
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether in a high-risk group of middle-aged male current smokers, patient characteristics are useful to recognize mild COPD (GOLD stage I). DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study spirometry was performed according to the American Thoracic Society criteria. COPD was defined according to the GOLD criteria for COPD. SETTING: Primary care. SUBJECTS: Male smokers, aged 40-65 years, without documented lung disease in the population at large. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Medical records were scrutinized to collect patient characteristics. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent determinants of mild COPD. RESULTS: A total of 567 subjects participated. COPD, defined by a FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7, was detected in 170 subjects (30.0%, 95% CI 26.2-33.9%). In 149 subjects (26.3%; 22.7-30.1%) COPD was mild (GOLD stage I) and in 21 subjects (3.7%; 2.3-5.6%) moderate (GOLD stage II). Only age and cough were independently associated with the presence of mild COPD. The ability of these determinants to discriminate between subjects with or without mild COPD was relatively poor (ROC area 0.65). Therefore no prediction rule was developed. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that patient characteristics are not helpful to recognize mild COPD (GOLD stage I) in middle-aged male smokers.
Adult↗
Yield of abdominal ultrasound in patients with abdominal pain referred by general practitioners.
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Abdomen↗
Different cut-off values for two D-dimer assays to exclude deep venous thrombosis in primary care.
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Diagnosis, Differential↗
Chest radiography in general practice: indications, diagnostic yield and consequences for patient management.
BACKGROUND: Chest radiography (CXR) is frequently performed in Western societies. There is insufficient knowledge of its diagnostic value in terms of changes in patient management decisions in primary care. AIM: To assess the influence of CXR on patient management in general practice. DESIGN OF STUDY: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Seventy-eight GPs and three general hospitals in the Netherlands. METHOD: Patients (n = 792) aged > or =18 years referred by their GPs for CXR were included. The main outcome was change in patient management assessed by means of questionnaires filled in by GPs before and after CXR. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 57.3+/-16.2 years and 53% were male. Clinically relevant abnormalities were found in 24% of the CXRs. Patient management changed in 60% of the patients following CXR. Main changes included: fewer referrals to a medical specialist (from 26 to 12%); reduction in initiation or change in therapy (from 24 to 15%); and more frequent reassurance (from 25 to 46%). However, this reassurance was not perceived as such in a quarter of these patients. A change in patient management occurred significantly more frequently in patients with complaints of cough (67%), those who exhibited abnormalities during physical examination (69%), or those with a suspected diagnosis of pneumonia (68%). CONCLUSION: Patient management by the GP changed in 60% of patients following CXR. CXR substantially reduced the number of referrals and initiation or change in therapy, and more patients were reassured by their GP. Thus, CXR is an important diagnostic tool for GPs and seems a cost-effective diagnostic test.
Adolescent↗
Incidence and determinants of moderate COPD (GOLD II) in male smokers aged 40-65 years: 5-year follow up.
BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem with an estimated prevalence of 10-15% among smokers. The incidence of moderate COPD, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), is largely unknown. AIM: To determine the cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio [FEV1/FVC] <0.7 and FEV1 <80% predicted) and its association with patient characteristics in a cohort of male smokers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The city of IJsselstein, a small town in the Netherlands. METHOD: Smokers aged 40-65 years who were registered with local GPs, participated in a study to identify undetected COPD. Baseline measurements were taken in 1998 of 399 smokers with normal spirometry (n = 292) or mild COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.7 and FEV1 >or=80% predicted, n = 107) and follow-up measurements were conducted in 2003. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 5.2 years, 33 participants developed moderate COPD (GOLD II). This showed an estimated cumulative incidence of 8.3% (95% CI = 5.8 to 11.4) and a mean annual incidence of 1.6%. No participant developed severe airflow obstruction. The risk of developing moderate COPD in smokers with baseline mild COPD (GOLD I) was five times higher than in those with baseline normal spirometry (one in five versus one in 25). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of middle-aged male smokers, the estimated cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (GOLD II) over 5 years was relatively high (8.3%). Age, childhood smoking, cough, and one or more GP contacts for lower respiratory tract problems were independently associated with incident moderate COPD.
Adult↗