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Biomedical subjects

G Chatellier

Publications and source records attributed to G Chatellier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Isolated systolic hypertension: data on a cohort of young subjects from a French working population (IHPAF).

Elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH)--systolic blood pressure (SBP) > or =140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mmHg--have increased mortality and morbidity. The aim was to study the incidence of ISH in a younger population of between 15 and 60 years of age, and to measure pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in these subjects. The study population consisted of 27 783 subjects, aged 15-60 years, untreated for hypertension (HT) from a cohort of employees formed to study the incidence of HT in the French working population (AIHFP). BP and HR were measured with a validated, automatic device after 5, 6 and 7 min at rest. The prevalence of ISH was 6.9% in men, 2.3% in women. This prevalence was over 5% in young men and increased at 40-44 years; it was negligible in young women, but increased at 50-54 years to about 10% (ie to the same level as in men of the same age): PP in subjects with ISH (46.9 mmHg) was significantly higher than in the normotensive group (NT-40.9 mmHg); it was comparable in both young men (65.5 mmHg) and older men (66 mmHg); it was higher in men (63.1 mmHg) than in women (61.5 mmHg). HR was higher in ISH than in NT and it was higher in women ( approximately 5 bpm) in whom it decreased with age. The prevalence of ISH is not negligible in HT (30% men, 25% women), with a high prevalence in young subjects and elevated PP, MAP and HR values. These data should be taken into account as elevated ISH, PP and HR are considered as cardio-vascular risk factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and high urinary albumin concentration in French Type 2 diabetes patients.

AIMS: Family-based studies suggest a genetic basis for nephropathy in Type 2 diabetes. The angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is a candidate gene for Type 1 diabetes nephropathy. We assessed the association between high urinary albumin concentration and ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, in French Type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: We studied 3139 micro/macroalbuminuric French patients recruited in the DIABHYCAR Study, an ACE inhibition trial in Type 2 diabetes patients with renal and cardiovascular outcomes. The main inclusion criteria were age >/= 50 years, urinary albumin concentration >/= 20 mg/l assessed centrally during two consecutive screening visits, and plasma creatinine concentration </= 150 micro mol/l. These patients were compared with 605 normoalbuminuric (NA; urinary albumin concentration < 10 mg/l at first screening for the DIABHYCAR Study) French patients. ACE I/D genotype was determined by nested polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The ACE I/D polymorphism was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The distribution of genotypes did not differ significantly between micro/macroalbuminuric and NA patients: 552 and 115 II, 1468 and 282 ID, 1119 and 208 DD (P = 0.67). However, the ACE D allele was more frequent among normotensive micro/macroalbuminuric patients than among NA patients (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The ACE I/D polymorphism was not associated with high urinary albumin concentration in French Type 2 diabetes patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Social and professional factors, occupational environmental strain and cardiovascular diseases].

In addition to conventional risk factors, environmental and occupational strain is an actor of the development and evolution of cardiovascular diseases. In industrialised countries, cardiovascular mortality is inversely correlated with the socio-economic level and type of occupation. In the French Ihpaf study, systemic hypertension and obesity were correlated with the socio-economic level. Among possible explanations for the importance of occupational environment, psychological stress at work, sedentary jobs, passive smoking and shift working may all play a role. Thus, beyond the conventional approach to individual risk factor management, it appears necessary to consider cardiovascular prevention through collective actions taking into account occupational environment.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2002

[Quality of medical database to valorize the DRG model by ISA cost indicators].

BACKGROUND: The use of the French version of the DRG model is focused on cost allocation, based on the case-mix system and the use a weight called ISA (Synthetic Index of Activity) for each DRG. However, this administrative database is becoming more and more used by both researchers and health policy makers for health planning and benchmarking. In France, data abstraction and coding of medical records is done by physicians. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of a database of the discharge summaries used for DRGs and to compare consequences of inappropriate coding on budget estimation and risk adjustment. METHODS: Samples of discharge summaries from six cardiology units were recoded by trained physicians in data abstracting and coding. Comparison between initial and recoded diagnoses (errors on main diagnosis or on comorbidities) used by the DRG system algorithm, and the original and final case-mix were performed. The before and after abstracted data were stratified and compared by principal diagnosis (myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure) and discharge status (dead or alive). MAIN RESULTS: Comorbidities were underreported by physicians of cardiology units compared to reabstracted data (mean number of secondary diagnoses per summary: 2.1 vs. 3.6, p<0.001), especially those which had a minimal impact on the DRG classification. In spite of a 15% rate of wrong DRGs, there was no significant difference in the total amount of ISA after data reviewing. Underreporting of comorbidities is more important for medical records of dead patients at discharge but, without significant effect on rate of change in DRG and amount of ISA. CONCLUSION: Discharge summaries used in the French DRGs system consistently underestimate the presence of comorbid conditions, which has direct implications for policy-makers comparing performance between hospital units. Both clinical practitioners and policy makers should be aware of this bias when assessing patient's quality of care or performing health planning through discharge summaries.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of three manual coccydynia treatments: a pilot study.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective pilot study with independent assessment and a 2-year follow-up period was conducted. OBJECTIVES: To compare and assess the efficacy of three manual coccydynia treatments, and to identify factors predictive of a good outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Various manual medicine treatments have been described in the literature. In an open study, the addition of manipulation to injection treatment produced a 25% increase in satisfactory results. Dynamic radiographs of the coccyx allow breakdown of coccydynia into four etiologic groups based on coccygeal mobility: luxation, hypermobility, immobility, and normal mobility. These groups may respond differently to manual treatments. METHODS: The patients were randomized into three groups, each of which received three to four sessions of a different treatment: levator anus massage, joint mobilization, or mild levator stretch. Assessment with a visual analog scale was performed by an independent observer at 7 days, 30 days, 6 months, and 2 years. RESULTS: The results of the manual treatments were satisfactory for 25.7% of the cases at 6 months, and for 24.3% of the cases at 2 years. The results varied with the cause of the coccydynia. The patients with an immobile coccyx had the poorest results, whereas those with a normally mobile coccyx fared the best. The patients with luxation or hypermobility had results somewhere between these two rates. Levator anus massage and stretch were more effective than joint mobilization, which worked only for patients with a normally mobile coccyx. Pain when patients stood up from sitting and excessive levator tone were associated with a good outcome. However, none of the results was significant because of the low success rate associated with manual treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for a placebo-controlled study to establish conclusively whether manual treatments are effective. This placebo must be an external treatment. A sample size of 190 patients would be required for 80% confidence in detecting a difference.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Information technologies: new partners in treating diabetes].

The management of chronic diseases such as diabetes is becoming a crucial issue in developed countries. Innovative communication technologies should now be included as new partners in the health care system. These technologies can help both in managing patients and measuring quality of care. Internet-based health promotion programs may improve compliance with treatment. Decision systems are available on the Net to help patients monitoring their diet and insulin doses. The use of electronic medical record shared on Internet may help both physicians and patients to monitor on the long term the effect of interventions. It is now time to perform appropriate trials to determine, beside other interventions, the precise role of innovative communication technologies in diabetes management.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Is "isolated home" hypertension as opposed to "isolated office" hypertension a sign of greater cardiovascular risk?

BACKGROUND: The SHEAF (Self-Measurement of Blood Pressure at Home in the Elderly: Assessment and Follow-up) study is an observational study (from February 1998 to early 2002) designed to determine whether home blood pressure (BP) measurement has a greater cardiovascular prognostic value than office BP measurement among elderly (> or =60 years) French patients with hypertension. The objective of this present work is to describe the baseline characteristics of the treated patients in the SHEAF study from February 1998 to March 1999, placing special emphasis on "isolated office" and "isolated home" hypertension. METHODS: Baseline office BP measurement was assessed using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Home BP measurement was performed over a 4-day period. A 140/90-mm Hg threshold was chosen to define office hypertension, and a 135/85-mm Hg threshold to define home hypertension. RESULTS: Of the 5211 hypertensive patients in the SHEAF study with a valid home BP measurement, 4939 received treatment with at least 1 antihypertensive drug. Patients with isolated office hypertension represented 12.5% of this population, while patients with isolated home hypertension represented 10.8%. The characteristics of the patients with isolated office hypertension were similar to those of patients with controlled hypertension. However, patients with isolated office hypertension had fewer previous cardiovascular complications. In contrast, rates of cardiovascular risk factors and history of cardiovascular disease in patients with isolated home hypertension resembled those in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis suggests that patients with isolated home hypertension belong to a high-risk subgroup. The 3-year follow-up of these patients will provide prospective data about the cardiovascular prognosis of these subgroups.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Very long-term results (more than 20 years) of valve repair with carpentier's techniques in nonrheumatic mitral valve insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is considered the gold standard in surgery of degenerative mitral valve insufficiency (MVI), but the long-term results (>20 years) are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed the first 162 consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve repair between 1970 and 1984 for MVI due to nonrheumatic disease. The cause of MVI was degenerative in 146 patients (90%) and bacterial endocarditis in 16 patients (10%). MVI was isolated or, in 18 cases, associated with tricuspid insufficiency. The mean age of the 162 patients (104 men and 58 women) was 56+/-10 years (age range 22 to 77 years). New York Heart Association functional class was I, II, III, and IV in 2%, 39%, 52%, and 7% of patients, respectively. The mean cardiothoracic ratio was 0.58+/-0.07 (0.4 to 0.8), and 72 (45%) patients had atrial fibrillation. Valve analysis showed that the main mechanism of MVI was type II Carpentier's functional classification in 152 patients. The leaflet prolapse involved the posterior leaflet in 93 patients, the anterior leaflet in 28 patients, and both leaflets in 31 patients. Surgical technique included a Carpentier's ring annuloplasty in all cases, a valve resection in 126 patients, and shortening or transposition of chordae in 49 patients. During the first postoperative month, there were 3 deaths (1.9%) and 3 reoperations (2 valve replacements and 1 repeat repair [1.9%]). Six patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 151 patients with mitral valve repair were followed during a median of 17 years (range 1 to 29 years; 2273 patient-years). The 20-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 48% (95% CI 40% to 57%), which is similar to the survival rate for a normal population with the same age structure. The 20-year rates were 19.3% (95% CI 11% to 27%) for cardiac death and 26% (95% CI 17% to 35%) for cardiac morbidity/mortality (including death from a cardiac cause, stroke, and reoperation). During the 20 years of follow-up, 7 patients were underwent surgery at 3, 7, 7, 8, 8, 10, or 12 years after the initial operation. Valve replacement was carried out in 5 patients, and repeat repair was carried out in 2 patients. At the end of the study, 65 patients remained alive (median follow-up 19 years). Their median age was 76 years (age range 41 to 95 years). All except 1 were in New York Heart Association functional class I/II. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair using Carpentier's technique in patients with nonrheumatic MVI provides excellent long-term results with a mortality rate similar to that of the general population and a very low incidence of reoperation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Blood pressure levels, risk factors and antihypertensive treatments: lessons from the SHEAF study.

OBJECTIVES: The SHEAF study (Self measurement of blood pressure at Home in the Elderly: Assessment and Follow-up) is a 3-year prospective cohort study of French elderly (> or =60 years) hypertensive patients designed to assess whether home blood pressure (HBP) measurement provides additional prognostic information over office blood pressure (OBP) in terms of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The objective of the present work is to describe the baseline data of the population enrolled in the SHEAF study with special emphasis on blood pressure control in treated hypertensives. METHODS: During the 2-week initial inclusion phase, baseline demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, antihypertensive treatments as well as office and home blood pressure were recorded. Baseline OBP was assessed using a mercury sphygmomanometer (three consecutive measurements during two visits performed 2 weeks apart). HBP was performed over a 4-day period (three consecutive measurements in the morning and in the evening). RESULTS: A total of 4939 (95%) of the 5211 patients included in the SHEAF study were treated with at least one antihypertensive drug. Their ages ranged from 60 to 99 years (mean age 70 +/- 7 years); 49% were men, 12% had a previous history of coronary artery disease, 14% diabetes and 43% a treated dyslipidaemia. A total of 45% of the treated patients received a single antihypertensive drug, 34% two drugs, 21% three drugs or more. Overall 23% of treated hypertensives were normalised at the doctor's office (systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg) and 27% at home (home systolic BP <135 mm Hg and home diastolic BP <85 mm Hg). Poor blood pressure control was associated with age, an increasing presence of diabetes and prescription of several antihypertensives. The proportion of subjects with controlled blood pressure decrease with age from 26% (60-69 years) to 21% (> or =80 years). Blood pressure control of diabetic patients was particularly poor as only 19% had an OBP <140/90 mm Hg and 6% a blood pressure <130/85 mm Hg. The percentage of patients with controlled OBP decreased from 26% when receiving a single antihypertensive drug to 11% when receiving four antihypertensives or more. CONCLUSION: In the SHEAF study, less than one-third of the patients had an OBP adequately controlled thus confirming previous studies performed in younger populations. Presence of associated cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes did not give rise to a better blood pressure control. When blood pressure control was assessed using HBP measurement similar results were found. As the beneficial effect of antihypertensive treatment has been particularly well established in the elderly, the data of this study underlines the need for a closer and more rigorous management of elderly hypertensives.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Assessment of sexual activity in patients with back pain compared with patients with neck pain.

Recent research has shown significant adverse effects of chronic low back pain on sexual activity in 46% of patients. To establish whether and how chronic low back pain adversely affects sexual activity, a questionnaire-based study was conducted on a patient group (low back pain) and a comparison group (neck pain). Patients were administered a visual analog scale, a series of conventional questionnaires, and a specifically designed sexual activity questionnaire covering frequency of intercourse before and since onset of pain, discomfort during intercourse, satisfaction with sexual life, and comfortable and uncomfortable basic coital positions. Patients with low back pain reported more interference than did patients with neck pain, and women with low back pain were more affected than men. Compared with the other groups, women with low back pain had greater reduction in frequency of intercourse, more marked discomfort during intercourse, and more interference with their sexual lives. The most pain generating position was prone for both genders, and the most comfortable one was supine. Sexual impairment, more marked in women, seems to be related to the triggering of pain by intercourse and to psychologic factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Determinants of right ventricular pressure in mild hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Doppler echocardiography was used to define reference values and determinants of tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity (TRV) in hypertensive patients. A TRV value > 2.5 m/s is the threshold usually defining abnormal right ventricular systolic pressure. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Doppler echocardiography was performed in 320 consecutive uncomplicated hypertensive patients, without overt pulmonary or heart disease. Doppler echocardiography included LV mass measurement, LV inflow and pulmonary venous flow analysis, LV systolic function and TRV measurements. RESULTS: Among 320 patients, 255 had normal TRV < 2.5 m/s and 65 had elevated TRV > or = 2.5 m/s. Compared with the normal TRV group, the elevated TRV group was older (60 versus 50 years, P < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure was higher (156 versus 151 mmHg, P = 0.02) and antihypertensive therapy was more frequent (68 versus 51%, P = 0.02); indexed LV mass was higher (45.4 versus 40.6 g/m2.7, P = 0.001), pulmonary D wave peak velocity was higher (42 versus 38 cm/s, P = 0.03). In univariate analysis, age was the most predictive variable of TRV (r = 0.36). In multivariate analysis, three variables were independently related to TRV: age, LV mass, pulmonary D wave (multiple r = 0.47). CONCLUSION: In mild hypertension, TRV is independently related to age, and to a lesser extent, to LV morphology and LV filling pressure. In clinical practice, age should be taken into account to interpret TRV.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence and therapeutic control of hypertension in 30,000 subjects in the workplace.

-To assess blood pressure (BP) control in a French working population through the use of a careful assessment of BP based on 2 different visits in 1 month, 17 359 men and 12 267 women were evaluated from January 1997 to April 1998. The initial phase was a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study designed to assess the incidence of arterial hypertension in a French working population. Information was collected by the work-site physician during the annual examination. BP was measured with a validated automatic device. Among subjects with BP >/= mm Hg, patients not treated with antihypertensive drugs were invited to have an additional BP measurement taken 1 month later. The prevalence of hypertension (BP >/= mm Hg) based on 2 visits was 16.2% in men and 9.4% in women. When the diagnosis of hypertension was based on 2 visits, its prevalence was 41% lower in men and 36% lower in women compared with that of a diagnosis based on a single visit. Accordingly, the awareness of hypertension was 49% higher in men and 40% higher in women. Overall, 12.5% of hypertensive men and 33.2% of hypertensive women taking antihypertensive medication had their BP levels lowered to < mm Hg by treatment. Although the percentage of hypertensive men and women under current treatment who were aware of their hypertension increased with age, BP control among treated subjects decreased with age. Ineffective BP control with treatment accounted for 33% of BP levels >/= mm Hg in men and 40% of those observed in women. In this large French working population, estimates of hypertension therapeutic control depend heavily on the number of BP measurements. Despite these methodological precautions, insufficient awareness of BP and insufficient BP control through treatment remain 2 major public health problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Factors associated with perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with pheochromocytoma: analysis of 165 operations at a single center.

To identify preoperative factors associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality after pheochromocytoma surgery, we carried out an external review of the records of all patients undergoing pheochromocytoma surgery from 1975 to 1997 at a single center. One hundred and forty-seven patients, including 23 with malignant tumors at the time of the first operation, underwent 165 operations. Death, resection of a neighboring organ, further surgery, secondary transfer to an intensive care unit, and any events associated with a surgical stay exceeding 10 days were defined as complications. Mortality and morbidity were 4 of 165 (2.4%) and 38 of 161 (23.6%), respectively. Morbidity included 13 spleen resections and hematomas. Spleen complications were not related to tumor location, but were probably due to the operative strategy used, a transperitoneal complete abdominal exploration including both adrenal glands. Complications were independently associated with preoperative systolic blood pressure [odds ratio (OR), 1.14/cm Hg], urinary metanephrine excretion (OR, 1.18/10 micromol x day), and with the number of operations (repeat vs. first operation OR, 5.36). In conclusion, pheochromocytoma resection consistently involves a risk of complications. Spleen damage should be prevented by complete preoperative localization studies and an elective or laparoscopic surgical approach. Careful blood pressure control should help prevent complications. Patients with high secretion tumors and those undergoing repeat intervention are at high risk of complications and should be referred to centers familiar with pheochromocytoma management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Prognosis and risk evaluation of postoperative coronary patients (PERISCOP). Methodology and study population characteristics].

The aim of the PERISCOP study was to evaluate the predictive value of cardiological investigations performed after recent coronary bypass surgery with regards to cardiac event and mortality at one year. The treatment of lipid abnormalities was also analysed. This first article describes the methodology and patient characteristics at inclusion. This prospective national multicenter trial included 2065 patients (86% men) with an average age of 63.1 +/- 9.9 years. The number of diseased vessels was 2.6 +/- 0.6. Preoperative left ventricular function was normal (ejection fraction 60 +/- 13%). Revascularisation was complete in 73% of cases (22% of arterial grafts). The cardiological investigations were performed at Day 20 +/- 10 after surgery. The duration of exercise on stress testing was 429 +/- 170 seconds. It was positive or doubtful in 9% of cases. Ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 6.5% of cases. The blood pressure response was abnormal in 6% of cases. Holter monitoring showed a median number of ventricular extrasystoles over 24 hours of 44. Three per cent of patients had one episode of ventricular tachycardia and 7% had ischaemic episodes. The echocardiographic index of segmental contractility was on average 1.75 (ejection fraction: 52.6%). The lipid analysis performed at one month, under lipid therapy in 34% of cases, showed a total cholesterol level at 1.91 +/- 0.10 g/l, an LDL-cholesterol of 1.27 +/- 0.08 g/l. The therapeutic target (LDL-cholesterol < 1 g/l) was attained in 46% of cases with treatment and in 18% of cases without treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Identification of patients at high cardiovascular risk: a critical appraisal of applicability of statistical risk prediction models.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk is widely proposed as a basis for taking management decisions about patients presenting with hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. Our aim was to critically assess the use of risk equations derived from epidemiological studies for the purpose of identifying high-risk patients. Risk equations were retrieved from the MEDLINE database and then applied to a data set of 118 patients. This data set was an evaluation study of the clinical value of the World Health Organization 1993 hypertension guidelines for the decision to treat mild hypertensive patients. We calculated agreement: 1) between equations and 2) between equations and the decision to treat taken by the physician. Most models were not applicable to our population, mainly because the original population had a narrow age range or comprised only males. Between-model agreement was better for the lower and upper risk quintiles than for the three other risk quintiles (0.58, 0.33, 0.34, 0.45, 0.70, from the lower to the upper risk quintile). When using an arbitrary threshold for defining high-risk patients (i.e. > 2% per year), we observed a huge variation of the proportion of patients classified at high risk (from 0 to 17%). There was a poor agreement between risk models and the decision to treat taken by the physician. These results suggest that risk-based guidelines should be validated before their diffusion.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed2001

Expression and meaning of medical language: building an epistemological framework for the study of semantic distance.

The use of language for communication purposes introduces a semantic gap in data processing. We have developed a new tool called semantic distance to overcome this gap. A previous presentation of our tool was based on an empirical approach. Here, we examine the properties and theoretical foundation of semantic distance from a rationalistic perspective. We present an epistemological framework to explain the meaning of semantic distance. As a tool, the purpose of semantic distance is the exchange of data or knowledge based on linguistic expressions between software components. We propose a review of the relationship between language and its representation for data processing based on the underlying philosophical assumptions. Description logic is a new paradigm in the medical informatics community to express relations between terms in "is-a" hierarchies. The utility of semantic distance is compared to description logic for communication purposes in different use cases.

Knowledge↗
PubMed2001

Computerization of guidelines: towards a "guideline markup language".

Medical decision making is one of the most difficult daily tasks for physicians. Guidelines have been designed to reduce variance between physicians in daily practice, to improve patient outcomes and to control costs. In fact, few physicians use guidelines in daily practice. A way to ease the use of guidelines is to implement computerised guidelines (computer reminders). We present in this paper a method of computerising guidelines. Our objectives were: 1) to propose a generic model that can be instantiated for any specific guidelines; 2) to use eXtensible Markup Language (XML) as a guideline representation language to instantiate the generic model for a specific guideline. Our model is an object representation of a clinical algorithm, it has been validated by running two different guidelines issued by a French official Agency. In spite of some limitations, we found that this model is expressive enough to represent complex guidelines devoted to diabetes and hypertension management. We conclude that XML can be used as a description format to structure guidelines and as an interface between paper-based guidelines and computer applications.

Decision Making, Computer-Assisted↗