PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M C Woronoff-Lemsi

Publications and source records attributed to M C Woronoff-Lemsi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Retrospective and comparative study of the medicoeconomical impact of a new mesh in the treatment of anterior abdominal wall incisinal hernia].

STUDY AIM: Determine the gain of hospitalization cost using a new intraperitoneal mesh compared to the retro-muscular pre-fascial implantation of a polyester mesh. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to June 2000, 52 patients with incisional hernia of the anterior abdominal wall were operated using intraperitoneal Parietex composite Mesh. The cost of surgery, anesthesia and hospitalization in this group were compared to similar data from a group of 21 patient where a Mesrsuture mesh in a prefascial retromuscular position was used. RESULTS: Parietex Composite Mesh in intraperitoneal position allows a significative reduction in surgery time, anesthesia time and hospitalization. The clinical results were confirmed by cost savings. CONCLUSION: Using new innovative medical device changing surgery technique insures significant cost saving despite its initial additional cost and increases patient's comfort during hospitalization.

Cost Savings↗

Early cardiotoxicity of the CHOP regimen in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence of early cardiotoxicity induced by the CHOP regimen in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and to identify associated risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis included 135 consecutive patients who had been treated with the CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristin, prednisone) regimen as first-line therapy between 1994 and 2000. The cardiac evaluation was based on a determination of the resting left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) by gated blood-pool imaging. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a significant decrease in LVEF or clinical evidence of congestive heart failure (CHF). RESULTS: Twenty-seven (20%) patients developed a cardiac event within 1 year of treatment. Among these, 14 patients had clinical signs of CHF. Three patients died suddenly from presumed cardiac causes. In multivariate analysis, a cumulative dose of doxorubicin >200 mg/m(2) [odds ratio (OR) = 4.2, P = 0.005)] and age over 50 years (OR = 2.9, P = 0.03) appeared to be significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: Early clinical and subclinical cardiotoxicity was frequent in patients receiving the CHOP regimen. The threshold of the cumulative dose of doxorubicin appeared to be low: at doses >200 mg/m(2), 27% of patients had cardiac events. Elderly patients appeared to be at higher risk. The development of cardioprotective strategies or alternative treatments are mandatory for aggressive NHL patients.

Adult↗

Cost-effectiveness of urinary dipsticks to screen asymptomatic catheter-associated urinary infections in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of urinary dipsticks (UDs) to screen asymptomatic catheterized patients for quantitative urine. DESIGN: Prospective comparison of UD with quantitative urine culture (QUC) (reference technique) and cost-effectiveness analysis performed from the hospital's perspective. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit (ICU) of the Besançon University Hospital (France). PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: All consecutive, asymptomatic, catheterized patients. INTERVENTIONS: Urinary dipsticks (Multistix 8-SG) were analyzed by the reflectance spectrophotometric method (Clinitek 50). Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of four combinations of the leukocyte (L) test pad and the nitrite (N) test pad were calculated: L and N, L or N, L alone and N alone. A micro-costing technique was used to determine the direct medical cost of each strategy. The calculated cost-effectiveness ratio was the incremental cost-effectiveness (ICE) ratio. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-nine urine samples taken from 144 patients were analyzed. The incidence of asymptomatic catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) was 31.3% (> or =10(5) organisms/ml). The L or N combination was the best detector of asymptomatic CAUTI: Se=87.2%, Sp=61.6%, PPV=30.6% and NPV=96.1%. The cost of QUC strategy and UD strategy was EUR 21.5 and EUR 12.6 per test, respectively. The ICE ratio of QUCs was EUR 69.5 per case of detected CAUTI. CONCLUSION: The UD is a cost-effective test for screening asymptomatic catheterized patients for quantitative urine culture in a medical ICU.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Incidence and risk factors of preparation errors in a centralized cytotoxic preparation unit.

OBJECTIVE: A major objective of centralized preparation is to improve the quality of the final product, and thus their safety for the patient. Few data are available concerning errors occurring during preparation and the risk factors associated with the errors. To assess risk factors associated with preparation errors in a centralized cytotoxic preparation unit. DESIGN: Medication errors were detected during preparation (self-education by technicians) or at the time of control (qualitative and semi-quantitative). For each preparation, several potential risk factors were studied. Univariate analysis was carried out using Chi-2 or Fisher exact tests. Variables with p < 0.15 associated in univariate analysis were entered in a stepwise regression model. In an overall analysis, all types of error were considered. In a second analysis, only major errors (errors associated with drug, dose or major incompatibility) were studied. RESULTS: Analysis included 30,819 preparations. Overall and major error rates were respectively 0.45% and 0.19%. The number of bottles (more than one), the volume of active solution (more than 50 ml) and the daily workload were the major risk factors identified by successive univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Low rates of medication errors compared to previous studies were reported. Major preparation errors were principally related to drug labeling (dose/bottle and concentration) and workload. Preparation mistakes appeared to have many causes. These results could be used to revise the general organization and determine a suitable purchasing policy.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

[Multiple sclerosis: cost of the illness].

Economic assessments for multiple sclerosis (MS) first appeared in the nineties. Drug costs were initially marginal before the recent introduction of interferon-beta. To evaluate the burden of MS, economic studies were carried out in addition to specific cost-of-illness studies. Like other chronic illnesses, MS patients can have mild to moderate or severe disabilities. This led to the need for indirect cost analysis. We interrogated the Medline database from 1985 to 2001 to select cost-of-illness studies. We present our findings here by type of methodology used, health care system and level of disability. We found that indirect costs are related to patient age at symptom onset (20-40 years). In most counties, excepting the United Kingdom, hospital costs dominate direct costs. Finally, MS costs are related to the stage of the disease.

Cost of Illness↗

Relevance of an intensive postoperative follow-up after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although a minimal follow-up with periodic clinic visits and chest radiographs is usually recommended after complete operation for non-small cell lung cancer, the ideal follow-up has not been defined yet. Objectives of this prospective study were to determine the feasibility of an intensive surveillance program and to analyze its influence on patient survival. METHODS: Follow-up consisted of physical examination and chest roentgenogram every 3 months and fiberoptic bronchoscopy and thoracic computed tomographic scan with sections of the liver and adrenal glands every 6 months. Influence of patient and recurrence characteristics on survival from recurrence was successively analyzed using the log-rank test and a Cox model adjusted for treatment. RESULTS: Among the 192 eligible patients, recurrence developed in 136 patients (71%) and was asymptomatic in 36 patients (26%). In 35 patients, recurrence was asymptomatic and detected by a scheduled procedure: thoracic computed tomographic scan in 10 (28%) patients and fiberoptic bronchoscopy in 10. Fifteen patients (43%) had a thoracic recurrence treated with curative intent. From the date of recurrence, 3-year survival was 13% in all patients and 31% in asymptomatic patients whose recurrence was detected by a scheduled procedure. Asymptomatic recurrences (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001), performance status 2 or less (p = 0.01), and age 61 years or younger (p = 0.01) were shown to be significantly favorable prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: This intensive follow-up is feasible and may improve survival by detecting recurrences after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer at an asymptomatic stage.

Adult↗

Effect of cell determinant (CD)34+ cell dose on the cost and consequences of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients in front-line therapy.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cell determinant (CD)34+ cell dose on the cost and consequences of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients in front-line therapy. Resource utilisation, length of aplasia, overall (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were assessed for 63 patients. Economic data were calculated taking into account harvest, hospitalisation, blood product requirements and drugs required until discharge. The point of view of the Hospital Institution was chosen. A significantly earlier haematopoietic engraftment was achieved in patients with a count of more than 5 x 10(6) CD34+/kg. There were no differences for OS and EFS. A high CD34+ cell content resulted in a total cost saving of $4210. This was principally related to a significant reduction in the length of hospitalisation (-$3010) and platelet and red blood cell transfusions (-$815), although the latter was not significant. Several sensitivity analyses showed the robustness of our results. A CD34+ cell dose higher than 5 x 10(6)/kg appeared to be optimal for clinical and economic considerations in NHL patients undergoing transplantation in front-line therapy.

Adolescent↗

Cost-effectiveness of CD34+ dose in peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients: a single centre study.

Intensive high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation is a common strategy for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). A retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis of CD34+ cell dose was carried out. Between 1994 and 1998, 28 patients were included. Efficacy was measured by the length of aplasia. Data collection concerned the period from graft day until discharge from hospital, and the post-graft period until graft day +100. Patients transplanted using a cell dose greater than 5 x 106/kg were found to have a faster hematological recovery. Average length of post-graft hospitalization was shorter and fewer blood products were required for patients with more than 5 x 106/kg CD34+ cells transplanted. Hospitalization was the major cost driver. A large reduction in procedure cost was obtained with a CD34+ cell count higher than 5 x 106/kg (-US$2740, -11%). This difference was directly related to hospitalization (-US$860) and platelet units transfused (-US$1,340). A sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of results. Our findings indicated that a CD34+ cell dose higher than 5 x 106/kg was more cost-effective than a lower dose in NHL patients. The collection of 5 x 106/kg CD34+ cells appeared necessary to optimize the PBPC procedure.

Adult↗

[Organized hepatitis C screening. Results and cost of a one-year campaign in a pilot area].

OBJECTIVES: The management and monitoring process and the efficiency of targeted hepatitis C screening in the French health care system are not known. We assessed the main results and the cost of the program established in the Doubs area, where organized screening was integrated into the activities of voluntary physicians. METHODS: All biological laboratories in the area, 23% of the private general practitioners, 42% of occupational physicians, one prison health service and one health centre agreed to participate. Screening was targeted to the following risk factors: transfusion before 1991, intravenous drug use, tattooing and household contact. The prescription form specified the indication and allowed free testing. RESULTS: Among the volunteers, 58% of the general practitioners, 63% of the occupational physicians and 50% of the laboratories prescribed at least one screening test. In one year, 948 serologies were prescribed, mainly for tattooing (45%) or transfusion (28%). Only 83% of the tests were performed, with patient observance depending on age, indication and the place of prescription. Thirty-one patients were positive (4%). The cost of the campaign was 10 994 F per screened case. CONCLUSION: Mobilizing health professionals for organized screening is difficult which affects the efficiency of strategies.

Adult↗

[Antibiotic therapy of febrile neutropenic patients: prospective study at a hematologic department].

OBJECTIVES: Many antibiotics have been studied in clinical trials in neutropenic patients with fever. Few have been evaluated in the everyday clinical setting. The aim of our study was to analyze the antibiotic strategy used in an adult hematology unit after guidelines had been set up. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted by a pharmacy team not directly working with the prescribing unit. Parameters recorded were drug use, treatment duration and reasons for changing successive drugs. Bacterial ecology data were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included in the study. Mean treatment duration was 14.8 days and was related to degree of neutropenia: 10 days in case of short neutropenia and 16.2 days for prolonged neutropenia. The most frequent first intention prescription was for non-anti-pseudomonas fl-lactams plus tobramycin, modifications made were: substitution with an anti-pseudomonas fl-lactam and introduction of a glycopeptide as second or third intention drugs. Imipenem and fluoroquinolones were used little. Mean duration of each regimen was 4 days. Initial treatment was generally empirical (7% of the prescriptions were based on documented susceptibility data). The highest rate of bacteriological data (20%) was obtained during the first intention regiment (42% coagulase-negative staphylococci, 14% Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The main reason for changing antibiotics was persistent or renewed fever. No bacterial caused deaths were recorded. No multiresistant Gram negative bacilli were selected. DISCUSSION: Reasonable use of antibiotics is possible in neutropenic patients with fever. First intention anti-pseudomonas fl-lactams and glycopeptides are not indispensable in most of these patients. An analysis of practice in the everyday clinical setting is required for optimal use of antibiotics.

Adult↗